New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons Betting Preview
In this Sunday NFC game, Atlanta is projected as the favorite and the team’s currently giving up 3 points. The Saints are also receiving +130 moneyline odds while the Falcons are -150. Oddsmakers have set the over/under (O/U) at 53 points. Should the underdog gets ahead early, it will likely produce a nice betting opportunity in-game.
With the spread opening at -4 and the O/U originally set at 52.5, oddsmakers have swayed this game’s outlook slightly.
The disappointing Saints are down 3.8 units so far and 0-2 against the spread (ATS). The team’s posted an Over-Under record of 1-1. The Falcons have lost 0.1 units this season. The team is 1-1 ATS and also owns an O/U record of 1-1.
The Saints have gone 1-1 straight up (SU), including 0-1 SU against NFC South opponents. The Falcons are 1-1 SU overall and 1-0 SU against divisional foes.
The Saints just pulled off a 21-18 victory over Cleveland in Week 2 where Drew Brees completed 28-of-35 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns. Alvin Kamara (46 yards on 13 rushes) led the ground attack while Michael Thomas (12 receptions, 89 yards, two TDs) and Kamara (six catches, 53 yards) handled the receiving duties in the win.
Atlanta just earned a 31-24 win over Carolina a week ago. The defensive unit allowed the Panthers to pass for 335 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 121 yards. Christian McCaffrey was a bright spot in the loss for Carolina, recording 37 rushing yards on eight attempts, along with 102 yards and a score on 14 catches. For Atlanta, Matt Ryan completed 23-of-28 passes for 272 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Tevin Coleman (107 yards on 16 rush attempts) mounted the running game while Julio Jones (five receptions, 64 yards) and Austin Hooper (five catches, 59 yards, one TD) led the receiving corps in the win.
New Orleans has run the ball on 31.0 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Atlanta has a rush percentage of 41.3 percent. The Saints have produced 53 rush yards/game and have two touchdowns on the ground this year. The Falcons are totaling 122 rush yards per game (170 in conference) and have three total rushing TDs.
The Saints offense has averaged a stellar 341 yards through the air overall and has five passing scores so far. The Falcons have recorded 262 pass yards per outing (272.0 in the NFC) and have two total pass TDs.
On the defensive side of the ball, New Orleans has allowed 103 rush yards and 332 pass yards per game. The Atlanta D has allowed 233.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 117.0 yards per game to opposing runners. The Falcons are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 4.85 to opponents, while the Saints have allowed a staggering 11.57 ANY/A.
Offensively, Brees is up to 243 passing yards this year. The signal-caller has connected on 80 percent of his 35 attempts with two scores through the air and has yet to throw an interception. Brees has a 6.66 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 8.87 over the past two outings.
Michael Thomas (89 receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns this season), Alvin Kamara (46 rush yards, 53 receiving yards) and Ted Ginn Jr. (55 receiving yards) have each played significant roles lately.
In the other huddle, Matt Ryan has completed 23-of-28 passes for 272 yards, two TDs and one INT. Ryan’s ANY/A stands at 9.54 for the season and 5.96 across his last two games.
We also expect the Atlanta offense to utilize a balanced attack this Sunday. Julio Jones (64 receiving yards this season), Tevin Coleman (107 rush yards, 18 receiving yards) and Austin Hooper (59 receiving yards, one receiving TD) have combined for 497 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns the last two games.
Free Betting Pick: Saints vs. Falcons
SU Winner – Falcons, ATS Winner – Falcons, O/U – Under
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Team Betting Trends
The Atlanta offense has lost zero fumbles this season while New Orleans has let four get away.
The Atlanta defensive unit has notched four sacks on the year while New Orleans has three.
New Orleans was favored by 10 points in its previous game and the O/U going into it was 51. The under cashed and New Orleans failed to cover in the 21-18 victory over Cleveland.
Atlanta was favored by 5 points in its last matchup and the Over/Under going into it was 43.5. The over cashed and Atlanta covered in the 31-24 victory over Carolina.
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