NFL preseason betting resumes Friday night with a potential Super Bowl preview on CBS TV as the New Orleans Saints host the San Diego Chargers. Kick-off is set for 8:05pm EST and sportsbooks have opened with New Orleans as a 3-point favorite with an over/under of 44 in NFL picks. The Saints are 1-1 both straight up and against the spread in 2010 NFL preseason odds. Last week New Orleans got an easy payout over the Houston Texans 38-20 as 1.5-point favorites as the over/under total soared over the 41 listed at online sportsbooks. The Chargers are also 1-1 both straight up and against the spread in exhibition action. Last week San Diego lost at home to the Dallas Cowboys 16-14 as 2.5-point favorites in NFL preseason picks with the over/under total staying under 35.5.

Defense and kick coverage are concerns when betting the Saints in NFL preseason odds. In their first 2 preseason games, the Saints have given up 3 kick-off returns in excess of 50 yards along with a 40 yard punt return. Special Teams coordinator Greg McMahon wants to see significant improvement. “The last two games we have not covered kicks very well at all. It’s obvious,” said McMahon. “When you put the film on and look, it’d be easy if it was one guy. But we’ve had our share of inconsistencies.”

If the Saints are to repeat as Super Bowl champions the defense must tighten up as the offense covered up for the unit last year. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams was successful at forcing turnovers and at going with a more aggressive approach. “We will be even better,” said Williams. “The guys know the defense better. You will see how improved we are on defense.” San Diego also expects to be improved after back-to-back AFC West titles. “This can be the best team I’ve coached here,” said Norv Turner. “We’ve gotten better. We have a lot of guys who have been here and who are better players today than they were a year ago at this time.”