The Atlanta Falcons hope to keep their playoff hopes alive as they take on the red hot New Orleans Saints in what is touted to be the NFL’s marquee Thanksgiving matchup on 11/22/18 at the Mercedes Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The Atlanta Falcons entered this season with expectations of contending for a division title. But a slow start to the season has dropped the Falcons inside a hole that they have not yet been able to come out of. Three straight wins gave them some life but after back to back losses, they sit at 10th in the playoff standings. But since they are only two games back of sixth place in the NFC, there is still a slim chance that they will make it. But this game should be a must win for them already.
Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints 11/22/18
Moneyline Odds: Falcons +510, Saints -660
Odds from betonling.ag as of 11/20/18
After losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their season opener, the New Orleans Saints have been rampaging with nine straight victories. New Orleans has won four in a row at home and are looking for a fifth straight home win and 10th overall to near the top seed in the NFC. Offense is what has gotten the Saints going as they lead the NFL with a league best 37.8 points per game. But if that’s not good enough, the Saints have scored an average of 43.5 points per game in their last four games played.
The reason why the Saints’ offense has been high powered is the MVP season being put up by quarterback Drew Brees. Brees has completed a remarkable 76.9% of his passes for a total of 2,964 passing yards with 25 touchdowns and just one interception on the season. Alvin Kamara has been productive from the backfield with 617 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns while also accounting for 510 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns on a total of 53 catches.
The Falcons are 3-2 SU in their last 5 games played and 1-4 SU in their last 5 games played on the road. The Saints are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games played and are 4-1 SU in five home games played this season. Head to head, New Orleans is 17-8 SU in their last 25 games against Atlanta and are 9-3 SU in their last 12 home games against the Falcons.
Defense has been the culprit for the Falcons’ struggles this season as they rank 29th in the NFL in scoring defense. Against a New Orleans team which leads the league in scoring, this game has the makings of a disaster for the Falcons. Unless their defense suddenly shows up, I don’t see a reason why the Saints are going to lose this game.
When a team has won 9 in a row, the law of averages say that a loss may be in the horizon. I agree but not I don’t think it will come against an inconsistent team like the Falcons whose defense is, forgive the word, crap this season.
We’re picking the New Orleans Saints to beat the Atlanta Falcons on 11/22/18.
The Falcons are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games played and are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games. The Saints are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games played and are 3-2 ATS in five home games played this season. Head to head, New Orleans is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games against Atlanta and also 5-2 ATS in their last five home games against the Falcons.
Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints 11/22/18
Spread Odds: Falcons +13 (-115), Saints -13 (-105)
Odds from betonling.ag as of 11/20/18
The Saints have won their last four game by 10 points or more, outscoring their opponents by an aggregate score of 174-76. They are the hottest team in the league with 9 straight wins. They have done well ATS in their last five games and in their last seven games against the Falcons. Atlanta has struggled ATS this season at 3-7. I know the spread is double digits and it keeps getting larger by the week but the Saints have been rampaging as of late.
Prediction: Saints -13 (-105)
The total has gone over in 6 out of the last 9 games played by the Falcons but the under is 6-2 in their last 8 road games. The total has gone over in six out of the 10 games played by the Saints this season and the over is 7-3 in their last 10 home games. Head to head, the under is 5-4-1 in their last 10 meetings.
Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints 11/22/18
Over/Under Odds: Over 59 -112, Under 59 -108
Odds from betonling.ag as of 11/20/18
New Orleans has averaged 43.50 points per game in their last four games played while the Falcons have averaged only 17.50 points per game in their last two games. Add those up and that still gives you a total of 60. The Saints are averaging 37.8 points per game this season and the Falcons are at 26.30. The danger here is if New Orleans cools off after such a hot streak. I think that’s bound to come but not against the struggling Falcons.
Prediction: Over 59 -112
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