New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons

One of the biggest games to date this season takes place on Thursday when the 7-6 Falcons try to keep their playoff hopes alive against the sizzling Saints. New Orleans opened as a slight underdog but with money flowing in on the black and gold, books have moved the line and it’s likely the Saints will close as road chalk.

After a stumble against the Rams, New Orleans got its freight train back on the tracks and proceeded to steamroll the Panthers to improve to 3-0 SU and ATS against NFC South competition.

Atlanta, on the other hand, is coming off a stinker against the Vikings in which the Dirty Birds laid an egg, managing just nine points on home turf. The Falcons’ sputtering offense has been the crux of their issues this season and it could cost them a playoff spot if it doesn’t get revved up for this battle with a Saints attacking unit that looks an awful lot like the one that led Matt Ryan to last year’s Super Bowl.

Not only do the Saints have one of the most consistent quarterbacks in NFL history and a talented corps of receivers, they have the most dynamic ground game in professional football. The duo of Mark Ingram and star rookie Alvin Kamara have been lighting teams up and that should continue when they go up against a Falcons run defense that’s well below average.

Something to watch out for here, though, is where the public money is going. Publicly backed teams are just 4-8-1 in TNF games this season and as of Tuesday morning, the Saints were receiving nearly 60 percent of bets. Does Vegas know something we don’t? Probably.

For more info, picks and a breakdown of this week’s top sports betting news, check out our new podcast with Jon Campbell and Andrew Avery. Subscribe on iTunes, or check us out at OddsShark.libsyn.com.

Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick

Betting fans looking to back the visiting New Orleans Saints in this one found them as 4-point favorites earlier in the week, while the total was settling in the neighborhood of 55 at shops such as Sportsbook.

OddsShark computer prediction handicapping models run on this game picked a 24-23 victory for the Falcons. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NFL matchups here.

New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons Matchup

Team Betting Records & Power Rankings

Atlanta will face the 9-3 New Orleans Saints, who own a 7-5 ATS mark on the season. In totals betting, the Falcons are 5-7 so far this season while the Saints are 7-5. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Atlanta vs New Orleans injuries news.

The Power Rankings at OddsShark have the No. 1-rated Saints taking on the No. 10-rated Falcons in this betting contest.

Statistical Matchup

Offensively, the game matches up the Atlanta Falcons' No. 11-ranked offense (24.09 PPG) against a New Orleans Saints defense that ranks No. 12 at 20.18 PPG. The Falcons passing attack has averaged 256.55 yards per game, more than the Saints give up through the air (221.82 YPG on average).

In comparing defenses, the Saints own the league's No. 11-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 109.5 yards per game when on the road. Atlanta, on the other hand, rates No. 10 this week in generating rushing yards at home.

Recent Outings Betting Recap

Alvin Kamara scored twice in New Orleans' most recent game, earning a 31-21 win over Carolina at Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

The Falcons suffered a Week 13 loss against Minnesota in their last game, falling 14-9 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Next Betting Matchups

New Orleans home to New York, Sunday, December 17
Atlanta at Tampa Bay, Monday, December 18