Saints, Falcons Set For A Low-Scoring Rematch

What did the Atlanta Falcons learn from a dismal Week 11 loss to the rival New Orleans Saints? We’ll find out Sunday afternoon when the Falcons (4-7 SU, 5-6 ATS) continue playing out the string against a Saints team (9-2 SU, 6-5 ATS) that continues to set its sights on top spot in the NFC. The Saints cruised to a 24-9 victory over the Falcons in their previous meeting.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

New Orleans opened as a 3-point favorite and has held steady at that line at the majority of sportsbooks. The total kicked off at 47.5 but has dropped to 46; if it stays there, it’ll be the lowest total between these teams since 2007.

New Orleans News & Notes

The Saints haven’t missed a beat despite losing quarterback Drew Brees to several fractured ribs, winning their past two games with Taysom Hill under center to run their overall winning streak to eight.

Of course, the defense has played a significant role in that stretch and has stepped it up in recent weeks, limiting teams to an average of 7.0 points over their past four games.

As for the offense, it has churned along – albeit at a much slower pace than when Brees is at the helm. Hill has rushed for four touchdowns in two games with Brees sidelined, helping atone for some major deficiencies in the passing game (311 passing yards, zero TDs). He’s an intriguing tournament play in DFS against a Falcons defense that has struggled all season.

Atlanta News & Notes

The Falcons took out their frustrations from that Week 11 loss on an overmatched Las Vegas team last week, rolling past the Raiders 43-6 in what was easily their most complete game of the season.

Atlanta is pretty much out of playoff contention in the ultra-competitive NFC but has won four of its last six games after Sportsbook the season with five straight losses.

The Saints’ stifling defense was too much for the Falcons in Week 11, and that could be a problem again this week if Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan doesn’t have Julio Jones at his disposal.

Jones left the previous matchup after hauling in just two passes for 39 yards; he missed last week’s game against the Raiders and is considered questionable for Sunday’s rematch.

Betting Pick: UNDER 46 (-110)

It’s hard to say what this total would need to be for us not to favor the UNDER; both defenses are looking terrific, while both offenses have their share of question marks.