Bayou Bets, Jan. 2: Saints keep hope alive in Tampa Bay

The New Orleans Saints win easily in Tampa Bay on New Yearโ€™s Eve to keep their playoff hopes alive, but the question is: Where was that effort all season? The Bayou Bets crew discusses that and looks ahead to Michigan vs. Washington in next Mondayโ€™s national championship game.

Many fans of the New Orleans Saints have gone from hoping their team loses to praying for a victory Sunday against the hated Dirty Birds of Atlanta and a loss for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Carolina. If those things happen, the Saints will in the NFC South and host either Philadelphia or Dallas in the opening round of the NFC playoffs.

That sounds kind of far-fetched, but it sure sounds better than what needed to happen just a few days ago. Weโ€™ll give you the odds on the home team to make the playoffs in a special Tuesday edition of the Bayou Bets show, as Jim Derry and Spencer The Guru of the crew share their thoughts.

Theyโ€™ll also discuss the College Football Playoff semifinals, and the opening lines for Michigan vs. Washington in the national championship game next Monday night in Houston.

“Bayou Bets” is sponsored by , official odds partner of The Times-Picayune and ถถา๕h and airs live at 4 p.m. regularly every Monday and Thursday on the  (among other social media channels) and can be viewed on demand there anytime.

Contact Jim Derry at jderry@theadvocate.com.  Follow all our Bet.NOLA sports betting coverage on , , and .