The stage is set for Christmas Eve at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, as the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints collide in a massive Week 16 divisional matchup.
Sportsbook opened the Saints as 5.5-point home favorites with a total of 53.
- The Saints are 8-0 SU in their last eight games in the early afternoon.
- The favored team is 2-5 SU in the last seven games in this matchup.
- The Falcons are 7-1 SU and 6-2 ATS in their last eight games vs divisional opponents.
The Saints will be out for revenge after falling 20-17 to the Falcons in Week 14. The biggest factor in that game was the absence of dynamic running back Alvin Kamara, however. Kamara, who suffered a concussion in the first half and did not return, is back in the fold and figures to be good to go this weekend.
The rookie has collected 1,346 yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns in an impressive campaign, and he’s in line to have a big day vs a Falcons defense that’s given up 4.3 yards per carry in 2017. New Orleans is a different team at home as well, as the Saints have rattled off five straight victories in Louisiana while winning by an average of 13.4 points in the process.
Here’s a trend that will favor Falcons bettors, however: over the past four seasons, the team that won the first game of the year has also won the second. Atlanta hung on to narrowly edge the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 15’s Monday Night Football. That was a must-win for the Falcons considering the Saints and Panthers are left on the docket – two tough tests that will make their playoff push extra interesting.
Betting on the underdog has been extremely profitable in this series. In the last eight meetings between the clubs, underdogs have gone 7-1 ATS.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Oddsmakers at Sportsbook had the New Orleans Saints as 5-point favorites in the game, while the betting total was sitting at 52.
A 29-21 result in favor of the Saints was the prediction by the OddsShark handicapping pick engine earlier this week. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NFL matchups here.
Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Atlanta Falcons will try to spoil the party on Sunday; they are 6-8 against the spread this season, while the New Orleans Saints are 7-7 ATS. Atlanta is 5-9 on the OVER/UNDER betting totals; New Orleans is 8-6. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and New Orleans vs Atlanta injuries news.
The game pits the Saints, currently No. 4 in our OddsShark NFL Power Rankings, against the Falcons, who rate No. 11 in the latest survey.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the New Orleans Saints' No. 3-ranked offense (28.64 PPG) against an Atlanta Falcons defense that ranks No. 10 at 20.14 PPG. The Saints passing attack has averaged 266.64 yards per game, more than the Falcons give up through the air (217.07 YPG on average).
Defensively, the Falcons feature the league's No. 19-rated road run defense, allowing 117.43 yards per game. The Saints, meanwhile, rank No. 7 in rushing offense at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Last time we saw the Buccaneers, they had no answer for Devonta Freeman as the Falcons rolled to a 24-21 victory at Raymond James Stadium.
Drew Brees passed for 2 touchdowns in his team's last game in leading the Saints past New York 31-19 on Sunday.
- Atlanta is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
- Atlanta is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Atlanta's last 11 games
- Atlanta is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
- New Orleans is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
- New Orleans is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of New Orleans' last 6 games
- New Orleans is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Atlanta home to Carolina, Sunday, December 31
New Orleans at Tampa Bay, Sunday, December 31
