It could be the final game with their respective teams for head coaches Arthur Smith and Dennis Allen when Atlanta visits New Orleans on the final Sunday of the regular season.
The home side opened as a 3-point favourite on the NFL odds. The winner might take the NFC South.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
When asked recently about the status of third-year head coach Arthur Smith, Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank did not guarantee Smith would be back next season, and it would be a pretty big surprise at this point with the franchise stuck in neutral, especially offensively. The Falcons will address quarterback this offseason either via trade (Justin Fields?) free agency (Russell Wilson?) or the draft.
Dennis Allen is in his second season as Saints head coach, and he has a much better chance of returning. Allen is a defensive-minded guy and that unit has been pretty good all season, but the Saints will enter yet another offseason in salary-cap hell, meaning there’s only so much they can do to improve other than the draft.
In Week 12, the Falcons were 1-point home favourites against the Saints and won 24-15. Desmond Ridder really struggled under centre in completing 13 of 121 for only 168 yards and two picks, but he did throw a big TD pass to running back Bijan Robinson with about 10 minutes left for a 21-12 lead. Ridder has since been benched for Taylor Heinicke. Derek Carr threw for 304 yards for New Orleans but no TDs and a pick. His first season there has been wildly inconsistent but he’ll surely be back in 2024 because of his contract.
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta has just one path to the playoffs and likely to save Coach Arthur Smith’s job: Win here and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lose at Carolina, and the Falcons win the NFC South. The Bucs shouldn’t lose to the two-win Panthers, but it’s not out of the question. Smith has juggled starting quarterbacks a few times this season. Veteran Taylor Heinicke started Sunday’s blowout loss in Chicago but was pulled in the fourth quarter because he aggravated an ankle injury that limited him in practice throughout last week. The Bears also scored 10 points off of Heinicke’s three turnovers. So it might be second-year Desmond Ridder back under centre. Either way, the team will be adding its presumed 2024 starting quarterback this offseason. The Falcons were 7-10 in 2021, 7-10 in 2022 and would finish 7-10 again with a loss Sunday – all three seasons under Smith.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints win the NFC South with a victory or tie and a Bucs loss in Carolina. New Orleans can also get a wild card spot but must win or tie and have Seattle lose in Arizona and Green Bay fall at home to Chicago. Highly unlikely both occur. “None of it matters if we don’t take care of business against an Atlanta team … that beat us at their place the last time,” Coach Dennis Allen said. “I think our focus really needs to be on, how do we go out and play a really good game in the dome against Atlanta?” The Saints have won three of their past four following a 23-13 upset win at Tampa Bay on Sunday. They lead the NFL in scoring defence (13.8 PPG) over that span and QB Derek Carr leads the NFL in completion per centage (73%). Star running back Alvin Kamara, also a huge threat in the passing game, is in some question for Week 18 as he sprained his ankle on Sunday.
NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Falcons vs. Saints?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 1 Jan 5:21am | NO | -4 -110 | O +41.5 -110 |
| Closing 7 Jan 8:46pm | NO | -23.5 -155 | O +63.5 -120 |
- Regular Season
Falcons Team Leaders
| Touchdowns |
8 |
| Rushing |
976 |
| Passing |
2836 |
| Receiving |
69 |
| Sacks |
6.5 |
| Interceptions |
6 |
| Touchdowns |
7 |
| Rushing |
694 |
| Passing |
3878 |
| Receiving |
87 |
| Sacks |
8.5 |
| Interceptions |
4 |
- Regular Season
Saints Team Leaders
| Touchdowns |
8 |
| Rushing |
976 |
| Passing |
2836 |
| Receiving |
69 |
| Sacks |
6.5 |
| Interceptions |
6 |
| Touchdowns |
7 |
| Rushing |
694 |
| Passing |
3878 |
| Receiving |
87 |
| Sacks |
8.5 |
| Interceptions |
4 |
Weather
| temp | 52 |
| condition | partly-cloudy |
| wind | North 10mph |
Injuries
Drew Dalman (OL)
Mike Hughes (CB)
Zach Harrison (DL)
DeMarcco Hellams (S)
Taylor Heinicke (QB)
Chris Lindstrom (G)
Drew Dalman (OL)
Taylor Heinicke (QB)
David Onyemata (DL)
Lorenzo Carter (LB)
A.T. Perry (WR)
Juwan Johnson (TE)
Erik McCoy (C)
Chris Olave (WR)
Khalen Saunders (DT)
Alvin Kamara (RB)
Nephi Sewell (LB)
Landon Young (OT)
Alvin Kamara (RB)
Lou Hedley (P)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drew Dalman (OL) | Out Sun | Ankle - 03 / 01 / 24 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Dalman is hindered by an ankle injury, and he will not be active for Sunday's battle with the Saints. |
|||||
| Mike Hughes (CB) | Prob Sun | Concussion - 03 / 01 / 24 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Hughes has a concussion, but it is not expected to impact his availability for Sunday's tilt with the Saints. |
|||||
| Zach Harrison (DL) | Ques Sun | Knee - 03 / 01 / 24 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Harrison is managing a knee injury, and it is uncertain if he will take the field against the Saints on Sunday. |
|||||
| DeMarcco Hellams (S) | Out Sun | Concussion - 03 / 01 / 24 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Hellams is going through the concussion protocol, and he will not partake in Sunday's game versus the Saints. |
|||||
| Taylor Heinicke (QB) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 01 / 01 / 24 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Heinicke is dealing with an ankle injury, and it is anticipated that he will play against the Saints on Sunday. |
|||||
| Chris Lindstrom (G) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 28 / 12 / 23 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Lindstrom is nursing an ankle injury, but it is projected that he will take on the Bears in Sunday's showdown. |
|||||
| Drew Dalman (OL) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 27 / 12 / 23 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Dalman has an ankle injury, but it is anticipated that he will dress for Sunday's matchup with the Bears. |
|||||
| Taylor Heinicke (QB) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 27 / 12 / 23 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Heinicke is battling an ankle issue, but it is predicted that he will be a participant in Sunday's game against the Bears. |
|||||
| David Onyemata (DL) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 27 / 12 / 23 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Onyemata is tending to an ankle injury, but it is likely that he will face the Bears on Sunday. |
|||||
| Lorenzo Carter (LB) | Prob Sun | Neck - 24 / 12 / 23 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Carter was lifted from the last game with a neck ailment, but it is forecasted that he will battle the Bears on Sunday. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A.T. Perry (WR) | Prob Sun | Illness - 04 / 01 / 24 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Perry is ailing from an illness, but it is expected that he will play against the Falcons on Sunday. |
|||||
| Juwan Johnson (TE) | Prob Sun | Chest - 03 / 01 / 24 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Johnson has a chest injury, but it is anticipated that he will be active for Sunday's showdown with the Falcons. |
|||||
| Erik McCoy (C) | Prob Sun | Foot - 03 / 01 / 24 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
McCoy is limited due to a foot issue, but it is likely that he will dress for Sunday's battle with the Falcons. |
|||||
| Chris Olave (WR) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 03 / 01 / 24 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Olave has an ankle injury, but it is predicted that he will line up for Sunday's tilt against the Falcons. |
|||||
| Khalen Saunders (DT) | Ques Sun | Concussion - 03 / 01 / 24 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Saunders is going through the concussion protocol, and it is uncertain if he will line up for Sunday's matchup against the Falcons. |
|||||
| Alvin Kamara (RB) | day-to-day | Ankle - 01 / 01 / 24 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Kamara is laid up with an ankle sprain, leaving his availability for postseason play unclear. |
|||||
| Nephi Sewell (LB) | I-R | Knee - 31 / 12 / 23 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Sewell has been ticketed to the injured reserve list with a knee injury. |
|||||
| Landon Young (OT) | day-to-day | Leg - 31 / 12 / 23 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Young is nursing a leg injury, and it is unknown when he will return to the field. |
|||||
| Alvin Kamara (RB) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 29 / 12 / 23 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Kamara is ailing from an illness, but it is anticipated that he will suit up Sunday versus the Buccaneers. |
|||||
| Lou Hedley (P) | Ques Sun | Illness - 29 / 12 / 23 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Hedley is dealing with an illness, and it is up in the air whether he will face the Buccaneers on Sunday. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 1 Jan 5:21am NO -4 -110 O +41.5 -110 Closing 7 Jan 8:46pm NO -23.5 -155 O +63.5 -120 -
- Regular Season
Falcons Team Leaders
Touchdowns 8
Rushing 976
Passing 2836
Receiving 69
Sacks 6.5
Interceptions 6
Touchdowns 7
Rushing 694
Passing 3878
Receiving 87
Sacks 8.5
Interceptions 4
-
- Regular Season
Saints Team Leaders
Touchdowns 8
Rushing 976
Passing 2836
Receiving 69
Sacks 6.5
Interceptions 6
Touchdowns 7
Rushing 694
Passing 3878
Receiving 87
Sacks 8.5
Interceptions 4
-
Weather
temp 52 condition partly-cloudy wind North 10mph -
Injuries
Drew Dalman (OL)
Out Sun Ankle - 03 / 01 / 24Mike Hughes (CB)
Prob Sun Concussion - 03 / 01 / 24Zach Harrison (DL)
Ques Sun Knee - 03 / 01 / 24DeMarcco Hellams (S)
Out Sun Concussion - 03 / 01 / 24Taylor Heinicke (QB)
Prob Sun Ankle - 01 / 01 / 24Chris Lindstrom (G)
Prob Sun Ankle - 28 / 12 / 23Drew Dalman (OL)
Prob Sun Ankle - 27 / 12 / 23Taylor Heinicke (QB)
Prob Sun Ankle - 27 / 12 / 23David Onyemata (DL)
Prob Sun Ankle - 27 / 12 / 23Lorenzo Carter (LB)
Prob Sun Neck - 24 / 12 / 23A.T. Perry (WR)
Prob Sun Illness - 04 / 01 / 24Juwan Johnson (TE)
Prob Sun Chest - 03 / 01 / 24Erik McCoy (C)
Prob Sun Foot - 03 / 01 / 24Chris Olave (WR)
Prob Sun Ankle - 03 / 01 / 24Khalen Saunders (DT)
Ques Sun Concussion - 03 / 01 / 24Alvin Kamara (RB)
day-to-day Ankle - 01 / 01 / 24Nephi Sewell (LB)
I-R Knee - 31 / 12 / 23Landon Young (OT)
day-to-day Leg - 31 / 12 / 23Alvin Kamara (RB)
Prob Sun Ankle - 29 / 12 / 23Lou Hedley (P)
Ques Sun Illness - 29 / 12 / 23Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Drew Dalman (OL) Out Sun Ankle - 03 / 01 / 24 0-1 1-0 + - Dalman is hindered by an ankle injury, and he will not be active for Sunday's battle with the Saints.
Mike Hughes (CB) Prob Sun Concussion - 03 / 01 / 24 0-1 1-0 + - Hughes has a concussion, but it is not expected to impact his availability for Sunday's tilt with the Saints.
Zach Harrison (DL) Ques Sun Knee - 03 / 01 / 24 0-1 1-0 + - Harrison is managing a knee injury, and it is uncertain if he will take the field against the Saints on Sunday.
DeMarcco Hellams (S) Out Sun Concussion - 03 / 01 / 24 0-1 1-0 + - Hellams is going through the concussion protocol, and he will not partake in Sunday's game versus the Saints.
Taylor Heinicke (QB) Prob Sun Ankle - 01 / 01 / 24 0-1 1-0 + - Heinicke is dealing with an ankle injury, and it is anticipated that he will play against the Saints on Sunday.
Chris Lindstrom (G) Prob Sun Ankle - 28 / 12 / 23 1-1 1-1 + - Lindstrom is nursing an ankle injury, but it is projected that he will take on the Bears in Sunday's showdown.
Drew Dalman (OL) Prob Sun Ankle - 27 / 12 / 23 1-1 1-1 + - Dalman has an ankle injury, but it is anticipated that he will dress for Sunday's matchup with the Bears.
Taylor Heinicke (QB) Prob Sun Ankle - 27 / 12 / 23 1-1 1-1 + - Heinicke is battling an ankle issue, but it is predicted that he will be a participant in Sunday's game against the Bears.
David Onyemata (DL) Prob Sun Ankle - 27 / 12 / 23 1-1 1-1 + - Onyemata is tending to an ankle injury, but it is likely that he will face the Bears on Sunday.
Lorenzo Carter (LB) Prob Sun Neck - 24 / 12 / 23 1-2 1-2 + - Carter was lifted from the last game with a neck ailment, but it is forecasted that he will battle the Bears on Sunday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes A.T. Perry (WR) Prob Sun Illness - 04 / 01 / 24 1-0 0-1 + - Perry is ailing from an illness, but it is expected that he will play against the Falcons on Sunday.
Juwan Johnson (TE) Prob Sun Chest - 03 / 01 / 24 1-0 0-1 + - Johnson has a chest injury, but it is anticipated that he will be active for Sunday's showdown with the Falcons.
Erik McCoy (C) Prob Sun Foot - 03 / 01 / 24 1-0 0-1 + - McCoy is limited due to a foot issue, but it is likely that he will dress for Sunday's battle with the Falcons.
Chris Olave (WR) Prob Sun Ankle - 03 / 01 / 24 1-0 0-1 + - Olave has an ankle injury, but it is predicted that he will line up for Sunday's tilt against the Falcons.
Khalen Saunders (DT) Ques Sun Concussion - 03 / 01 / 24 1-0 0-1 + - Saunders is going through the concussion protocol, and it is uncertain if he will line up for Sunday's matchup against the Falcons.
Alvin Kamara (RB) day-to-day Ankle - 01 / 01 / 24 1-0 0-1 + - Kamara is laid up with an ankle sprain, leaving his availability for postseason play unclear.
Nephi Sewell (LB) I-R Knee - 31 / 12 / 23 1-1 1-1 + - Sewell has been ticketed to the injured reserve list with a knee injury.
Landon Young (OT) day-to-day Leg - 31 / 12 / 23 1-1 1-1 + - Young is nursing a leg injury, and it is unknown when he will return to the field.
Alvin Kamara (RB) Prob Sun Ankle - 29 / 12 / 23 1-1 1-1 + - Kamara is ailing from an illness, but it is anticipated that he will suit up Sunday versus the Buccaneers.
Lou Hedley (P) Ques Sun Illness - 29 / 12 / 23 1-1 1-1 + - Hedley is dealing with an illness, and it is up in the air whether he will face the Buccaneers on Sunday.