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Jeremy Perry
Falcons vs. Saints Point Spread: NFL Predictions, Week 10 Odds
The New Orleans Saints have absolutely rolled through their opponents regardless of who has
started at quarterback for them this season. On Sunday, they’ll face the one-win Atlanta Falcons,
who figured to be the next foe to offer minimal resistance.
The Saints, who have won seven of eight, return off of their bye week to face a Falcons team
that’s lost seven of their eight games. We’re also not quite sure the status of quarterback Matt
Ryan, who missed the team’s most recent contest but is expected to be ready. The Falcons have
been blown out in four of their last five games. Can they do anything to make this a close
contest on Sunday?
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Falcons are 1-7 straight up and 2-6 against the spread heading into Week 10. They have
been at their worst on the road with a 0-4 record as the visiting team so far this season, losing
by an average of 10.3 points per game. Atlanta has also been particularly bad in this head-to-
head matchup in recent years as the Falcons have lost three straight to New Orleans and haven’t
covered the spread in any of those games.
Meanwhile, the Saints have a lot more to feel good about beyond their 3-0 SU and ATS record in
their last three against Atlanta. New Orleans is 17-2 straight up in its past 19 home games. The
Saints are also coming off back-to-back double-digit wins to improve to a league-best 6-2 ATS
overall so far this season.
Atlanta Falcons
The fact that quarterback Matt Schaub threw for 460 yards and a touchdown in a 27-20 loss to
the Seahawks in Week 8 is probably more of a testament to the holes in the Seattle defense
than anything else. Most of that came in garbage time as the Seahawks were up 24-0 at the half.
Atlanta still boasts some impressive weapons in an offense that features Julio Jones but the
running game and offensive line simply haven’t worked this season. They’re averaging just 68.5
rushing yards per game (fourth-worst), so if they’re planning to go on the road and put the game
on Matt Ryan’s shoulders, it won’t work.
New Orleans Saints
While the bulk of the attention will be on Brees in his second start back from injury, the reality is
that New Orleans will likely lean on its rushing attack against an Atlanta defense that was
torched for 151 yards and a touchdown in its loss to Seattle. Brees certainly looked good in the
win over Arizona, throwing for 373 yards and three touchdowns. This should be child’s play for
him versus a Falcons defense that’s giving up 31.3 points per game (third-most).
Meanwhile, the Saints defense has made a case that it is among the best in the NFL this season
with an incredible run. New Orleans has held three of its last five opponents to 10 points or less. The
Saints will have to come out very sleepy to blow this one as the Falcons have been mailing in
efforts for weeks. Don’t expect that to happen as the Saints are 8-4 ATS off the bye in the Sean
Payton era.
ATL
NO