The Saints don’t just lead the league in scoring. They are averaging just over a touchdown a game more than the No. 2 scoring teamMinnesota.
That’s a staggering gap, given the biggest difference among two other teams in the top 29 is 2.4 points.
The Saints, who are averaging 37.9 points per game, are on pace to surpass the 589 points the 2007 New England Patriots scored.
Must-see game of the week
Patriots at Colts 6:20 p.m., KUSA-9
The skinny: This is one of the top rivalries of the salary cap era. And what else do you need? Both teams play smart, have quarterbacks bound for Canton who wear Super Bowl rings and just keep winning.
The difference will be: If the Colts can keep the ball long enough on offense to protect their battered secondary. Patriots QB Tom Brady could feast on a group that’s missing safety Bob Sanders and cornerback Marlin Jackson. While Peyton Manning fuels the Colts’ offense, running backs Joseph Addai and Donald Brown may determine the outcome in this one.
The call: Colts 31-30
Catch them if you can
Jaguars at Jets 11 a.m.
The Jets are coming off a bye and they keep saying they intend to be a playoff team. If that’s true, a quick glance at the AFC standings reveals this is pretty much a must-win for them.
The call: Jets 27-17
Bengals at Steelers 11 a.m.
While the Bengals won a matchup earlier this season, the Steelers have won five of the last six meetings between the two, and 14 of the last 19. The Steelers have won five straight since a Sept. 27 loss in Cincinnati, and a big reason is QB Ben Roethlisberger’s 11 touchdown passes in those five wins. Also, RB Rashard Mendenhall has 528 of his 573 yards rushing in those five games.
The call: Steelers 27-23
Cowboys at Packers 2:15 p.m.
If the Packers are going to beat somebody with a winning record, they will have to keep QB Aaron Rodgers upright. Rodgers has been sacked a league-most 37 times this season, 10 more times than the QB in the No. 2 spot — the Chiefs’ Matt Cassel. The Packers are also the league’s most penalized team with 62. Those are tough numbers to overcome.
The call: Cowboys 21-17
Eagles at Chargers 2:15 p.m., KDVR-31
A huge game for Broncos faithful to keep an eye on. After being three games back of the Broncos a month ago, the Chargers have played themselves back into the AFC West race with a trip to Denver on the docket next weekend. The Eagles haven’t played in San Diego since 1998, when Natrone Means was running the ball for the Chargers.
The call: Chargers 35-31
Quick hitters
Falcons at Panthers 11 a.m.
The Falcons have been night and day so far, with a 4-0 mark in the climate-controlled comfort of their home dome to go with a 1-3 mark on the road. Atlanta is 24th in run defense and the Panthers run the ball well enough for the upset to happen.
The call: Panthers 24-21
Buccaneers at Dolphins 11 a.m.
The fact Tampa is 10-0 in games when Cadillac Williams gets at least 22 carries would seem to be a relevant item for the coaching staff to consider, since he does not have more than 16 carries in a game this season.
The call: Dolphins 27-13
Lions at Vikings 11 a.m., KDVR-31
The Vikings, coming off a bye, have won 14 of the last 15 meetings between the two teams, and the Lions’ lone win in that span came in 2007 in overtime. Detroit’s last win in Minnesota came in 1997.
The call: Vikings 31-21
Saints at Rams 11 a.m.
Here you have one of the best teams at forcing turnovers — the Saints are plus-8 in turnover margin and have scored five touchdowns on interception returns alone — to go with one of the worst teams at protecting the ball. The Rams are a minus-7 in turnovers. That’s some potential ugliness there.
The call: Saints 42-13
Bills at Titans 11 a.m.
A quirky stat given all that’s happened, but Titans QB Vince Young has won his last six regular-season games as a starter, including last week’s win over the 49ers. The Titans’ Chris Johnson leads the league in rushing and the Bills have the league’s worst run defense — do the math.
The call: Titans 27-13
Chiefs at Raiders 2 p.m.
With these two offenses, it may be a fight to see who’s first to cross midfield — the Chiefs are 27th in scoring at 15.8 points per game while the Raiders (9.8) are 30th. Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell is the lowest-rated starter in the league.
The call: Raiders 10-9
Seahawks at Cardinals 2:15 p.m.
Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck has won seven of his 12 career starts against the Cardinals. But he’s been playing hurt and been battered in the pocket. Cardinals QB Kurt Warner has thrown eight of his 16 touchdown passes this season in the last three games.
The call: Cardinals 28-14
Legwold’s record
5-7 last week
82-45 for the season
