The Saints are favored in their season opener vs. the Vikings on Thursday night, with the line sitting at anywhere from New Orleans minus-4½ to minus-6 depending upon where you're looking either in Las Vegas or online, according to VegasInsider.com. 

I do not have an especially strong feeling about the game, though I would have to say that the Vikings look more and more attractive if the number continues to go up. With so much focus on the game, and with so much hooray-for-pro-football buzz, I will be quite interested to see the closing number. Is there any possible way it hits seven? I doubt it, but I never thought I would see the Saints favored by six in this one. 

The Vikings have covered in five straight games vs. New Orleans, including four in a row at the Louisiana Superdome. In fact, the Vikings and the Over has cashed five straight times in this matchup. The total for Thursday's game is 48 to 48½ — significantly lower than the 54 posted for the 2009 NFC title game. 

The Vikings were 11-6-1 against the spread in 2009 (5-4 road). They covered in their final three games of the season. The Saints were 10-9-1 ATS — and covered in Super Bowl XLIV, of course. It's just about time to get back down to the business of handicapping games that count once again, wouldn't you say?