The New Orleans Saints will be eyeing a playoff spot when they close out their schedule in Week 18 with a road date against the Atlanta Falcons.
The Saints improved to 3-1 straight up in their past four with last week’s 18-10 win over Carolina, but need a victory over the Falcons combined with a loss by San Francisco in its clash with Los Angeles to capture the final NFC wild card. Bounced from playoff contention by last weekend’s 29-15 loss in Buffalo, the Falcons aim to record consecutive wins on home turf for just the second time since the start of the 2020 NFL season.
New Orleans is a 4-point favourite to win on the NFL odds, with a total of 40.0.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Saints have enjoyed the backing of just 43 per cent of sports bettors since opening as 4-point favourites. New Orleans briefly improved to 4.5-point chalk before falling back to -4, but has emerged as a -114 bet to cover. The total has held steady since opening at 40, with 55 per cent of the betting action backing the UNDER.
Sunday afternoon’s matchup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium marks the second meeting of the season between these NFC South rivals. The Saints dropped 27-25 to the visiting Falcons in Week 9, but have won and covered in six of eight meetings including their past three visits to Atlanta.
Clashes between these teams have otherwise tended to be low-scoring, with the total finishing under 40 on five occasions during a 7-2 run for the UNDER. Road teams have fared well in head-to-head action, winning outright in five of seven, with the Falcons failing to cover as home underdogs on two occasions over that stretch. Atlanta has gone just 6-9-1 against the spread including a 1-6 mark on home turf. The Saints have covered in three of four overall, and have also won and covered in five of seven road dates this season.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints have been plagued by injuries throughout the season, and have been particularly hard hit on offence. Among the key offensive personnel to miss time are quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill, and rushers Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram. However, the defence has stepped up, allowing just one total touchdown pass and one scoring pass during the team’s 3-1 run.
Cameron Jordan has elevated his game since returning from a one-game COVID-related absence. The veteran defensive end turned in a monster performance last weekend. Jordan recorded eight tackles and 3.5 sacks, and has now tallied 7.5 total sacks over his past three outings.
Atlanta Falcons
Matt Ryan’s recent struggles continued in last weekend’s loss. The Falcons pivot failed to find the end zone while connecting on just 13 of 23 pass attempts for 197 yards. Ryan has now tossed for just five scores against five picks over the past eight games. But he has received little help from a porous offensive line that allowed him to get sacked five times last week, and 21 times over his past seven outings.
The Atlanta rush defence has also been subpar, surrendering 154 yards per game and nine total scoring runs over their past four. That is good news for Saints pivot Hill, who has scrambled for 252 total rushing yards and two scoring runs over the past four games.
NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Saints vs. Falcons?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
---|---|---|---|
Opening 3 Jan 1:05pm | NO | -4 -112 | O +40 -110 |
Closing 9 Jan 9:03pm | NO | -4.5 -113 | O +40 -111 |
- Regular Season
Saints Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
9 |
Rushing |
898 |
Passing |
1170 |
Receiving |
47 |
Sacks |
12.5 |
Interceptions |
3 |
Touchdowns |
11 |
Rushing |
618 |
Passing |
3968 |
Receiving |
68 |
Sacks |
4.5 |
Interceptions |
3 |
- Regular Season
Falcons Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
9 |
Rushing |
898 |
Passing |
1170 |
Receiving |
47 |
Sacks |
12.5 |
Interceptions |
3 |
Touchdowns |
11 |
Rushing |
618 |
Passing |
3968 |
Receiving |
68 |
Sacks |
4.5 |
Interceptions |
3 |
Weather

temp | 63 |
condition | dome |
Injuries
Caleb Benenoch (T)
Marcus Davenport (DE)
Taysom Hill (QB)
Ty Montgomery (RB)
Bradley Roby (DB)
Albert Huggins (DT)
P.J. Williams (DB)
Erik McCoy (C)
Marcus Williams (S)
Taysom Hill (QB)
Frank Darby (WR)
Qadree Ollison (RB)
Jason Spriggs (T)
Jonathan Bullard (DL)
Jaylinn Hawkins (S)
Hayden Hurst (TE)
Fabian Moreau (CB)
Richie Grant (S)
Feleipe Franks (QB)
Brandon Copeland (LB)
Injuries
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Caleb Benenoch (T) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 08 / 01 / 22 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Benenoch has been added to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it has yet to be decided when he will return to action. |
|||||
Marcus Davenport (DE) | Ques Sun | Ankle - 05 / 01 / 22 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Davenport is battling an ankle injury, and it has yet to be announced if he will suit up for Sunday's game versus the Falcons. |
|||||
Taysom Hill (QB) | day-to-day | Finger - 05 / 01 / 22 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Hill was removed from Sunday's tilt with a lisfranc foot injury, and he will not return. |
|||||
Ty Montgomery (RB) | Ques Sun | Back - 05 / 01 / 22 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Montgomery has a back injury, and it remains to be seen if he will be available for Sunday's matchup with the Falcons. |
|||||
Bradley Roby (DB) | Out Sun | Shoulder - 05 / 01 / 22 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Roby has a shoulder injury, and he will not take the field against the Falcons on Sunday. |
|||||
Albert Huggins (DT) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 04 / 01 / 22 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Huggins has been posted to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it has yet to be established when he can return. |
|||||
P.J. Williams (DB) | Out Sun | Ankle - 03 / 01 / 22 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Williams was forced form the last contest with an ankle injury, and he will not suit up against the Falcons on Sunday. |
|||||
Erik McCoy (C) | Ques Sun | Illness - 01 / 01 / 22 | 1-1 | 0-2 | + - |
McCoy was absent from the last game with an illness, and it is unclear if he will face the Falcons on Sunday. |
|||||
Marcus Williams (S) | Ques Sun | Illness - 01 / 01 / 22 | 1-1 | 0-2 | + - |
Williams sat out the last game due to an illness, and it is undecided if he will take the field on Sunday versus the Falcons. |
|||||
Taysom Hill (QB) | Prob Sun | Finger - 30 / 12 / 21 | 1-1 | 0-2 | + - |
Hill is expected to be active against the Panthers on Sunday despite a right finger injury. |
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Frank Darby (WR) | Ques Sun | Shoulder - 05 / 01 / 22 | 0-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Darby has a shoulder injury, and it is uncertain if he will be active against the Saints on Sunday. |
|||||
Qadree Ollison (RB) | Ques Sun | Quadricep - 02 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 0-2 | + - |
Ollison exited the last game with a quadriceps injury, and it is undecided if he will be active on Sunday versus the Saints. |
|||||
Jason Spriggs (T) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 30 / 12 / 21 | 0-1 | 0-2 | + - |
Spriggs will miss an undetermined length of time after winding up on the COVID-19 list. |
|||||
Jonathan Bullard (DL) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 29 / 12 / 21 | 0-1 | 0-2 | + - |
Bullard will miss an undetermined length of time after winding up on the COVID-19 list. |
|||||
Jaylinn Hawkins (S) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 29 / 12 / 21 | 0-1 | 0-2 | + - |
Hawkins has been added to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it has yet to be decided when he will return to action. |
|||||
Hayden Hurst (TE) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 29 / 12 / 21 | 0-1 | 0-2 | + - |
Hurst has been entered to the IR/COVID-19 list, leaving his availability moving forward unclear. |
|||||
Fabian Moreau (CB) | Prob Sun | Ribs - 29 / 12 / 21 | 0-1 | 0-2 | + - |
Moreau sat out the last game due to a rib injury, but it is likely that he will partake in Sunday's battle with the Saints. |
|||||
Richie Grant (S) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 28 / 12 / 21 | 0-1 | 0-2 | + - |
Grant will miss an undetermined length of time after winding up on the COVID-19 list. |
|||||
Feleipe Franks (QB) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 28 / 12 / 21 | 0-1 | 0-2 | + - |
Franks has been shifted to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it is unknown when he will return. |
|||||
Brandon Copeland (LB) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 27 / 12 / 21 | 0-1 | 0-2 | + - |
Copeland will miss an undetermined length of time after winding up on the COVID-19 list. |
-
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
25 -
ATLANTA FALCONS
16
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 3 Jan 1:05pm NO -4 -112 O +40 -110 Closing 9 Jan 9:03pm NO -4.5 -113 O +40 -111 -
- Regular Season
Saints Team Leaders
Touchdowns 9
Rushing 898
Passing 1170
Receiving 47
Sacks 12.5
Interceptions 3
Touchdowns 11
Rushing 618
Passing 3968
Receiving 68
Sacks 4.5
Interceptions 3
-
- Regular Season
Falcons Team Leaders
Touchdowns 9
Rushing 898
Passing 1170
Receiving 47
Sacks 12.5
Interceptions 3
Touchdowns 11
Rushing 618
Passing 3968
Receiving 68
Sacks 4.5
Interceptions 3
-
Weather
temp 63 condition dome -
Injuries
Caleb Benenoch (T)
Out indefinitely Illness - 08 / 01 / 22Marcus Davenport (DE)
Ques Sun Ankle - 05 / 01 / 22Taysom Hill (QB)
day-to-day Finger - 05 / 01 / 22Ty Montgomery (RB)
Ques Sun Back - 05 / 01 / 22Bradley Roby (DB)
Out Sun Shoulder - 05 / 01 / 22Albert Huggins (DT)
Out indefinitely Illness - 04 / 01 / 22P.J. Williams (DB)
Out Sun Ankle - 03 / 01 / 22Erik McCoy (C)
Ques Sun Illness - 01 / 01 / 22Marcus Williams (S)
Ques Sun Illness - 01 / 01 / 22Taysom Hill (QB)
Prob Sun Finger - 30 / 12 / 21Frank Darby (WR)
Ques Sun Shoulder - 05 / 01 / 22Qadree Ollison (RB)
Ques Sun Quadricep - 02 / 01 / 22Jason Spriggs (T)
Out indefinitely Illness - 30 / 12 / 21Jonathan Bullard (DL)
Out indefinitely Illness - 29 / 12 / 21Jaylinn Hawkins (S)
Out indefinitely Illness - 29 / 12 / 21Hayden Hurst (TE)
Out indefinitely Illness - 29 / 12 / 21Fabian Moreau (CB)
Prob Sun Ribs - 29 / 12 / 21Richie Grant (S)
Out indefinitely Illness - 28 / 12 / 21Feleipe Franks (QB)
Out indefinitely Illness - 28 / 12 / 21Brandon Copeland (LB)
Out indefinitely Illness - 27 / 12 / 21Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Caleb Benenoch (T) Out indefinitely Illness - 08 / 01 / 22 1-0 0-1 + - Benenoch has been added to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it has yet to be decided when he will return to action.
Marcus Davenport (DE) Ques Sun Ankle - 05 / 01 / 22 1-0 0-1 + - Davenport is battling an ankle injury, and it has yet to be announced if he will suit up for Sunday's game versus the Falcons.
Taysom Hill (QB) day-to-day Finger - 05 / 01 / 22 1-0 0-1 + - Hill was removed from Sunday's tilt with a lisfranc foot injury, and he will not return.
Ty Montgomery (RB) Ques Sun Back - 05 / 01 / 22 1-0 0-1 + - Montgomery has a back injury, and it remains to be seen if he will be available for Sunday's matchup with the Falcons.
Bradley Roby (DB) Out Sun Shoulder - 05 / 01 / 22 1-0 0-1 + - Roby has a shoulder injury, and he will not take the field against the Falcons on Sunday.
Albert Huggins (DT) Out indefinitely Illness - 04 / 01 / 22 1-0 0-1 + - Huggins has been posted to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it has yet to be established when he can return.
P.J. Williams (DB) Out Sun Ankle - 03 / 01 / 22 1-0 0-1 + - Williams was forced form the last contest with an ankle injury, and he will not suit up against the Falcons on Sunday.
Erik McCoy (C) Ques Sun Illness - 01 / 01 / 22 1-1 0-2 + - McCoy was absent from the last game with an illness, and it is unclear if he will face the Falcons on Sunday.
Marcus Williams (S) Ques Sun Illness - 01 / 01 / 22 1-1 0-2 + - Williams sat out the last game due to an illness, and it is undecided if he will take the field on Sunday versus the Falcons.
Taysom Hill (QB) Prob Sun Finger - 30 / 12 / 21 1-1 0-2 + - Hill is expected to be active against the Panthers on Sunday despite a right finger injury.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Frank Darby (WR) Ques Sun Shoulder - 05 / 01 / 22 0-0 0-1 + - Darby has a shoulder injury, and it is uncertain if he will be active against the Saints on Sunday.
Qadree Ollison (RB) Ques Sun Quadricep - 02 / 01 / 22 0-1 0-2 + - Ollison exited the last game with a quadriceps injury, and it is undecided if he will be active on Sunday versus the Saints.
Jason Spriggs (T) Out indefinitely Illness - 30 / 12 / 21 0-1 0-2 + - Spriggs will miss an undetermined length of time after winding up on the COVID-19 list.
Jonathan Bullard (DL) Out indefinitely Illness - 29 / 12 / 21 0-1 0-2 + - Bullard will miss an undetermined length of time after winding up on the COVID-19 list.
Jaylinn Hawkins (S) Out indefinitely Illness - 29 / 12 / 21 0-1 0-2 + - Hawkins has been added to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it has yet to be decided when he will return to action.
Hayden Hurst (TE) Out indefinitely Illness - 29 / 12 / 21 0-1 0-2 + - Hurst has been entered to the IR/COVID-19 list, leaving his availability moving forward unclear.
Fabian Moreau (CB) Prob Sun Ribs - 29 / 12 / 21 0-1 0-2 + - Moreau sat out the last game due to a rib injury, but it is likely that he will partake in Sunday's battle with the Saints.
Richie Grant (S) Out indefinitely Illness - 28 / 12 / 21 0-1 0-2 + - Grant will miss an undetermined length of time after winding up on the COVID-19 list.
Feleipe Franks (QB) Out indefinitely Illness - 28 / 12 / 21 0-1 0-2 + - Franks has been shifted to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it is unknown when he will return.
Brandon Copeland (LB) Out indefinitely Illness - 27 / 12 / 21 0-1 0-2 + - Copeland will miss an undetermined length of time after winding up on the COVID-19 list.