Following a brutal five-game losing stretch midseason, the New Orleans Saints have won three of their last four games entering Week 18 of the 2021 regular season to remain on the bubble for a postseason berth. The Saints need a little help from another playoff-bound franchise, though, before they can officially state that they’ve made the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season.

NitroBetting is ready to equip its bettors with all the latest previews and NFL betting odds for Week 18 of the 2021 NFL season. This time, let’s examine what the San Francisco 49ers need to make the 2022 NFL Playoffs. Learn more about the Niners’ odds of making the postseason, as well as the actual NFL betting odds and added insights for their pivotal Week 18 matchup against long-time division rivals the Los Angeles Rams.

New Orleans Saints 2022 NFL Playoffs Chances

5 Saints did not practice todayhttps://t.co/Ci9Ec4jTKR

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) January 6, 2022

READ MORE: What the 49ers Need to Make the 2022 NFL Playoffs

New Orleans’ Chances to Make the Playoffs

The Saints had a relatively decent 35% chance to make the playoffs entering their Week 17 clash against the Carolina Panthers. After that win over Carolina, though, New Orleans’ odds saw a slight uptick to 39% and will need plenty of help over in another division battle set to take place in the West Coast (more on that below).

As of this writing, the Saints are (-3.5) road favorites to win their regular-season finale against their NFC South rivals the Atlanta Falcons. New Orleans has beaten Atlanta in six of their last eight head-to-head meetings, but it’s the Falcons who currently have the last laugh after escaping the Big Easy with a 27-25 victory in Week 9.

Taysom Hill has been passable under center for the past month. However, Hill has to get star running back Alvin Kamara more involved on offense. Kamara only has two 100-yard rushing performances this season despite clearly being the best weapon on New Orleans’ offense. Nonetheless, it’s been the team’s defense that has stepped up down the stretch. Over the Saints’ last three wins, they’ve held each of their opponents to 10 points or less thanks to stellar play from All-Pro defensive end Cameron Jordan (3.5 sacks against Carolina; 11.5 sacks for the season).

What the Saints Need to Happen

It goes without saying that New Orleans needs to win its game against the Falcons to avoid being eliminated from playoff contention. However, the Saints are also hoping that the Los Angeles Rams prevail victorious in their NFC West showdown against the San Francisco 49ers.

The Niners have the inside track to the final wild-card spot in the NFC, as a win over the Rams simply means they’re in by virtue of having a better overall record than New Orleans at 10-7. But if San Francisco drops its final game of the regular season to finish with a possibly identical 9-8 record with New Orleans, the Saints will leapfrog over San Fan for a postseason berth as long as they win their contest against Atlanta. New Orleans has the edge by way of the division record tiebreaker over the 49ers this season.

Check out our latest sports betting guides for the 2021 NFL Regular Season. Stay tuned for more Football previews and articles and don’t forget to check out the latest football betting odds at our online Bitcoin sportsbook.

*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.