Mickey Spagnola: This will be a Saintly gut feeling, and hopefully it's been blessed, since we're talkin' going way outside the box, predicting the Cowboys will end the Saints' 10-game winning streak, 31-30, Thursday night while extending theirs to four straight. Prevailing thought here is the Saints, as good as they've been, aren't likely to.

New Orleans Saints at Dallas Cowboys, Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, TX
Thursday, November 25, 2010, 4:15 pm EST, TV: FOX
Opening Line: Saints -3
Current Line: Saints -3.5
Opening Total: 50.5
Current Total: 50
Money Line: saints -190 / Cowboys +165

The Saints need to defend their home stadium without their leader, Drew Brees, under center. The Cowboys want to prove they’re a good team, having beaten a series of cupcakes to start the year. Here’s our bold predictions for the game — with emphasis on bold. It’s possible none of these things happen. It’s very unlikely all of them do. MORE WEEK 4 NFL PICKS: Against the spread Straight-up picks. Saints prediction. So, what are the NFL picks? Well, in my opinion without Brees, last weekend was the exception to the rule.

The Dallas Cowboys (3-7) seem to finally be playing up to their potential in going 2-0 under new head coach Jason Garrett, but they will get their biggest test yet when they host the New Orleans Saints (7-3) on Thursday. The Cowboys handed the defending Super Bowl champion Saints (-3.5) their first of three consecutive losses to end the regular season a year ago but will face a much bigger challenge here without injured quarterback Tony Romo.

Veteran Jon Kitna has done a nice job filling in for Romo the last two games after struggling in his first two starts. Kitna has thrown six touchdowns and one interception in beating the Giants and Lions after tossing two touchdowns and six picks in losses to Green Bay and Jacksonville. All of the team’s seven games since the bye week have gone OVER the total.

The Dallas defense has played well in the last two games as well after giving up an average of more than 40 points per game in the previous three. The Cowboys held the Giants and Lions below their season scoring averages and now must try to contain a New Orleans offense that is coming off its two best offensive performances of the season.

The Saints scored 34 points twice in wins over the Panthers and Seahawks with reigning Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees leading the way. Brees has thrown for more than 300 yards in three of the last four games and tossed four touchdown passes in a 34-19 home win against Seattle last week. He was hoping to get running back Reggie Bush back for the first time in eight games, but his fractured fibula was still hurting during pregame warm-ups.

New Orleans head coach Sean Payton said there is a “great chance” Bush will return for this game at Dallas, and the team could definitely use his skills in the return game and out of the backfield. Rookie running back Chris Ivory rushed for 99 yards and a touchdown against the Seahawks, but he has been up and down all season filling in for Bush and Pierre Thomas.

The Saints had been a bit disappointing offensively through the first five games – averaging just under 20 points per game – but they have scored over 27 per game in the last five. Still, the OVER has cashed only twice during the most recent stretch due to the fact that New Orleans has played outstanding defense. Opponents have scored an average of 13.6 points in the last five games for the Saints.

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The New Orleans Saints (11-4) and Carolina Panthers (5-10) face off on Sunday in a Week 17 NFL game.

Which team will get the victory?

Check out these NFL Week 17 picks and predictions for the game, which can be seen at 2:25 p.m. MST time on Fox.

The Saints are a 4-point favorite in the game.

More NFL Week 17 picks, predictions

• Falcons vs. Bucs Cowboys vs. Giants Jets vs. Patriots
• Vikings vs. Lions Steelers vs. Browns Ravens vs. Bengals
• Dolphins vs. Bills Seahawks vs. 49ers Cardinals vs. Rams
• Jaguars vs. Colts Titans vs. Texans Raiders vs. Broncos
• Chargers vs. Chiefs Packers vs. Bears Saints vs. Panthers
• Washington vs. Eagles Playoff seeds Scenarios Odds

Pro Football Network: Panthers 28, Saints 23

Jarrett Bailey writes: 'The Saints won off the strength of Alvin Kamara’s six-touchdown day. That said, it’s painfully apparent how bad Drew Brees’ arm looks and that they are a one-trick pony on offense. Carolina’s defense looked superb against Washington, and they have been a tough out all season long. The first matchup between these two teams was close, with the Saints coming out on top. However, I think Carolina returns the favor, which could impact the Saints’ seeding in the playoffs.'

MORE: NFL playoff picture: Win or go home for Arizona Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Rams

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Cowboys Vs Saints Score Prediction

Sportsnaut: Saints 31, Panthers 16

Vincent Frank writes: 'Matt Rhule and the Panthers have lost eight of nine since a surprising start to the season. It’s been primarily due to struggles on the defensive side of the ball. This unit has given up 32.6 points in its past five games. In no way does that bode well for being competitive against New Orleans. After some initial struggles in his return from injury back in Week 15 against the Chiefs, Drew Brees responded by throwing three touchdowns. It kept that game close. In Week 16, it was Alvin Kamara’s six touchdown runs that gifted New Orleans a win over the Minnesota Vikings. Now at 11-4, these Saints have something to play for. That should spell doom for Carolina in Week 17.'

Sporting News: Saints 30, Panthers 23

Bill Bender writes: 'The Saints still have a shot at home-field advantage with a little help. Alvin Kamara had 148 total yards in the first meeting, and he will be the difference on the road in yet another one-score loss for the Panthers.'

MORE: NFL playoff scenarios: NFL postseason berths, division titles on line in Week 17 of season

Sports Interaction: Go with the Saints to cover

Payton Matthews writes: 'The Saints are NFC South champions and still have a shot at the NFC’s top seed but would need a win and some help. The Panthers are playing out the string. New Orleans beat Carolina 27-24 in Week 7 as Drew Brees threw for two scores.'

Pro Football Network: Saints 27, Panthers 23

Oliver Hodginkson writes: 'There is still a glimmer of hope for the New Orleans Saints that they can secure home-field advantage. As a result, they should overcome a Carolina Panthers team eliminated from the playoff race some time ago. However, with an expected Green Bay Packers win, the victory may prove fruitless for their playoff outlook anyway.'

Cowboys Vs Saints Score Predictions

CBS Sports broke down the line for the game

John Breech wrote: 'Due to the Packers' win on Sunday, it will be a long shot for the Saints to earn a first-round bye, which means there's definitely a chance that Sean Payton could end up resting a few key players for this game. With that in mind, that could make Carolina the smarter bet here. Not only are the Panthers 4-1 ATS in their past five games against the Saints, but they're also 9-4 ATS in their past 13 games overall, which includes winning outright as an underdog to Washington in Week 16.'

ESPN: Saints have a 72.8% chance to win the game

Cowboys Vs Saints Predictions Picks And Parlays

The site's Football Power Index gives the Panthers a 26.9% chance to pick up the victory.

MORE: NFL playoff odds: Arizona Cardinals' postseason chances plummet after loss to 49ers

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers picks, predictions: Who wins NFL Week 17 game?