Praying for health
The Saints may need some heavenly intervention to overcome all of their injuries. The team does visit the lowly Buccaneers, but will be without electric running back Reggie Bush and run-stuffing defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis. Without Ellis in the lineup, teams are averaging nearly 145 rushing yards per game. New Orleans will still be missing both starting corners, Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter. The Saints are listed at -11 with a total of 50.5 points.
Defensive tackled sacked
Redskins star defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth is expected to miss the team’s game at Dallas Sunday with an ankle injury. Haynesworth, who has 27 tackles and three sacks this year, is the anchor of a Redskins defense that is ranked fifth in the league in allowing a meager 288 yards per game. The Cowboys offense is fourth in the league in yardage, amassing an average of more than 390 yards per game. Washington is listed at +11 with a total of 41.5 points.
Hornet’s sting
The Heat have been cooling off lately and the New Orleans Hornets are the last team they want to see. New Orleans is 7-0-1 ATS in its past eight games against Miami, including winning the past four meetings outright. New Orleans, however, will be without All-Star point guard Chris Paul, who is still sidelined with an ankle injury. The Hornets are listed at +8.5 with a total of 195.
Phoenix Rock City
If Detroit ever needs to find a new place to play its home games, Phoenix wouldn’t be a terrible idea. The Pistons are 8-1 ATS in their past nine games against the Suns on their own court, and an equally impressive 9-3 ATS in the team’s past 12 meetings overall. Detroit also is playing very well, and is 5-2 ATS in its past seven games overall. The Pistons are listed at +10 with a total of 207.5.
Pole sitter
Jimmy Johnson just makes it seem so easy. The NASCAR star is going for an unprecedented fourth straight points title and will do so on Sunday from the pole position. The fourth-pole of the season and the 100-plus point lead could make him apprehensive about going for the win, but it hasn’t stopped him before from pushing to take the checkered flag.