New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons

The battle for the top of the NFC South standings heats up on Sunday as the New Orleans Saints (5-5 SU, 2-7-1 ATS) visit the Atlanta Falcons (4-6, 2-8) in NFL Week 12 action at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Saints were idle last weekend after seeing a two-game win streak snapped with a 27-19 loss in Minnesota in Week 10. However, with the Falcons now riding a three-game SU losing streak in the wake of their 25-23 loss in Arizona two weeks ago, New Orleans maintains a narrow one-game lead over Atlanta and Tampa Bay atop the divisional standings.

Latest Betting Notes: New Orleans Saints

The Saints have managed to climb to the top of the NFC South despite emerging as one of the worst bets in the NFL so far this season. With their loss to the Vikings as 3-point road chalk, the Saints have now failed to cover in four of five outings, but maintain a respectable 2-3-1 ATS mark in their six road games to date. New Orleans also saw the UNDER pay out in its first six games of the season, while averaging just 18.2 points per game. However, has scored at least 24 points in three of their past four outings, powering a 3-1 run for the OVER. Back-to-back games with multiple touchdown passes by Derek Carr helped to spark the turnaround in totals betting. However, Carr missed the Saints last contest due to a concussion, and his status for Sunday is uncertain.

Latest Betting Notes: Atlanta Falcons

The high hopes sparked by a 2-0 SU start have all but faded with the Falcons falling to defeat in six of their past eight. Like the Saints, the Falcons have been a steadily bad bet this season, going 1-4 ATS at home including outright defeats in their past two while pegged as betting chalk. However, this team has managed to keep things close, with each of their past six games getting settled by just a single score, and their past three SU victories coming by a combined margin of just six points. The big challenge now facing the Falcons is to flip the script on a losing narrative against the Saints, who have topped them in nine of 11 meetings including five straight in Atlanta. 

The Keys to Victory: Saints

Last week’s bye provided Derek Carr and the Saints with a chance to overcome some recent injuries, but health issues remain a concern. In addition to Carr’s continued uncertain status, the Saints will be without Michael Thomas after the veteran receiver was placed on the IR this week with a knee injury. With uncertainty both downfield and under center, both Tayson Hill and Alvin Kamara could be in line for more work. Kamara has averaged 55.5 rushing yards and made one scoring catch this season, while Hill Has given this team an added dimension. Hill has been used under center in key situations, and has topped 50 rushing yards in two of four games while running for three scores.

The Keys to Victory: Falcons

With Taylor Heinicke now sidelined by injury after leading the squad to three start losses as starting quarterback, the Falcons will turn to Desmond Ridder under center for the rest of the season. The 24-year-old has produced mixed results in his first season as an NFL starter, tossing for six scores and running for four more TDs, but he has consistently tossed interceptions at the worst possible times, six in total this season, and completed under 60% of pass attempts in two of four home appearances. Bijan Robinson has picked up some of the slack while powering the Falcons’ sixth-ranked ground game, averaging over 69 rushing yards and producing two scores over the past three weeks.