NFL Football Betting: Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints
This has been an intense series for years dating back to when both teams were doormats. Their fortunes have gone up and down but it’s still one of the more heated rivalries in the NFL. That makes this Monday Night Football game worth watching despite it involving teams we’d rather bet against. The Atlanta Falcons are 1-1 SU/ATS after an opening game loss to Tampa Bay at home and a 7 point win at Oakland last week. The New Orleans Saints are 0-2 SU/1-1 ATS having lost both games by a combined four points. The Saints and Falcons have split the last two games SU/ATS with each winning on their opponent’s home field.
So far the Atlanta Falcons haven’t had trouble moving the football and scoring points. They’re tied for #6 in points per game (29.5) and are #2 in yards per game (451). Matt Ryan can still be effective when in the right situation and given the proper schemes to work with. The Falcons’ problem is defense, or more appropriately their lack thereof. Atlanta ranks #29 in yards allowed per game (412.5) and #27 in points allowed per game (29.5). They’ve also allowed 7 touchdown passes so far this season which ties them for the most in the league.
New Orleans is something of a question mark at this point. Drew Brees is still a very dangerous quarterback and has 5 touchdown passes on the year after two games which ties New Orleans for #2 in the league–and keep in mind that most teams have already played three games. Brees doesn’t have the weapons around him that he did a few years ago but should benefit from the Falcons’ pitiful pass rush. In their last 18 games Atlanta has only 20 sacks. The Falcons have been a good underdog in recent years and come in on a 9-8 SU/11-6 ATS run when getting points. The Saints, meanwhile, have been a horrible favorite in the past three years with a 6-15 ATS record.
At one point this rivalry was dominated by the road team but that looks to have changed–the Saints are 4-1 SU/ATS in their last five games against Atlanta in the Superdome. More significantly, New Orleans is 0-2 and at this point a desperate team. Saints are 6-2 ATS after 2 or more consecutive losses during the last three years.
BET NEW ORLEANS SAINTS -2.5 OVER ATLANTA FALCONS
BET NEW ORLEANS/ATLANTA OVER 53.5
