Saints getting sharp at perfect time

In February, New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton took a risk by calling for an onside kick, and the reward was a Super Bowl win. The result of that was a hangover lasting into late October.

But with the NFL postseason looming, it's time to ask: Are we sleeping on the Saints? Is Payton putting his team in position to win it all again?

The answers to those two questions will be revealed in New Orleans' next two games, at Baltimore on Sunday and at Atlanta on Dec. 27.

The Saints, 10-3 straight up and 5-7-1 against the spread, are riding a six-game winning streak. That could be a smoke screen, though, because five of their victims during the streak currently have losing records.

Drew Brees has not been as sharp this season, and the evidence is his 18 interceptions. His other numbers -- 69 percent completions, 3,855 yards passing and 28 touchdowns -- are strong. The veteran quarterback was out of sync for two months, and he's still not quite the same.

Brees is getting more help, however. Running backs Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas have returned, and New Orleans' offense ranks No. 3 in the league. Its defense ranks No. 6.

Baltimore (9-4) has something to prove, too. Joe Flacco, who has been sacked 13 times in the Ravens' past three games, leads an inconsistent offense. The defense is on the decline.

In the Ravens' 34-28 overtime victory Monday at Houston, safety Ed Reed and linebacker Ray Lewis ran out of gas as the Texans put together back-to-back 99- and 95-yard TD drives in the fourth quarter.

Trying to win an NFL wager is often a three-hour torture session. This game should be no different, no matter which side you take. I'll go with the Saints as 2-point underdogs.

New Orleans bottomed out in October losses to Arizona and Cleveland, teams quarterbacked by rookies Max Hall and Colt McCoy, respectively. But Payton said his team, which might be peaking, is "getting healthy at a good time."

The Saints, who have won 10 of their past 11 against AFC opponents, are 13-1 in their past 14 on the road.

Four more plays for Week 15 (home team in CAPS):

■ RAMS (-1) over Chiefs: Matt Cassel (appendectomy) is questionable at quarterback for Kansas City. If Brodie Croyle starts, the Chiefs are probably doomed. Either way, St. Louis should be able to ride workhorse running back Steven Jackson to victory.

■ COWBOYS (-7) over Redskins: Dallas is 3-2 and has averaged 32 points in the five games since Jason Garrett took over as interim coach. Meanwhile, Washington coach Mike Shanahan is losing his mind. He demoted quarterback Donovan McNabb and named Rex Grossman the starter. The Redskins will unravel.

■ BUCCANEERS (-5½) over Lions: Laying points with Tampa Bay is playing with fire. But the maturing Bucs (8-5) are in the playoff hunt. The Lions play dead on the road, where they have lost a league-record 26 in a row.

■ Jets (+6) over STEELERS: The Jets' defense is not the problem. Mark Sanchez must prove he's not a terrible cold-weather quarterback. Sanchez is catching a break because Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, the league's most valuable defender, is hurt and doubtful.

Last week: 3-2 against the spread

Season: 35-32-3

Las Vegas Review-Journal sports writer Matt Youmans can be reached at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907.