Saints vs. Falcons Point Spread: NFL Predictions, Week 13 Odds
The NFL added a third game to Thanksgiving in 2006 in part to help the fledgling NFL Network gain viewership … although it’s not shown on that network any longer.
If Falcons-Saints on Thanksgiving sounds familiar, that’s because they played the prime-time game on the holiday last year, with New Orleans winning 31-17 at home. That was the Saints’ second game on Thanksgiving. In 2010, they won at Dallas. The Falcons are 1-2 all-time on the holiday, and the only other time they hosted was in 2007 at the old Georgia Dome, losing 31-13 to the Colts.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The biggest point spread upset in the NFL this season was in Week 10 in New Orleans when the Saints were 14-point favorites over the Falcons but lost 26-9. Both teams were coming out of their bye week, with Atlanta on a six-game losing streak and New Orleans on a six-game winning streak. That result ruined/ended many a Survivor Pool and was the first time in 18 years a team on at least a six-game skid beat one on at least a six-game winning streak.
The Saints had not been held without a touchdown at home since Drew Brees joined the franchise in 2006. They had scored in double-digits in 110 straight home games.
The underdog is 9-3 ATS in the past 12 meetings. The under is 4-1 in the previous five.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints all but clinched the NFC South – they could officially do so this week – with a 34-31 home win over second-place Carolina on Sunday. Will Lutz kicked a 33-yard field goal as time expired. Brees led the Saints from their own 14-yard line with 1:51 left to the Carolina 15 with 3 seconds remaining. He threw for 311 yards and three touchdowns overall. Michael Thomas had 10 catches for 101 yards and could break the NFL single-season record for receptions (143 by Marvin Harrison). He already has 104 catches.
Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore and left guard Andrus Peat were both out injured. Left tackle Terron Armstead left in the first half with an ankle injury. The Saints are 5-2 ATS in their past seven after a win.
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta’s two-game winning streak was snapped in a 35-22 home loss to Tampa Bay. The defence allowed 446 yards. Matt Ryan didn’t throw a touchdown pass, was picked off once and lost a fumble that was returned for a touchdown. It was his lowest-rated game of the season. Ryan has just three TD passes in his past four games and doesn’t look healthy.
No. 1 running back Devonta Freeman was out with a foot injury and isn’t likely to play in this quick turnaround. Tight end Austin Hooper also was out. Top receiver Julio Jones suffered a shoulder injury but it’s not thought to be serious. The Falcons are 7-3 ATS in their past 10 Thursday games.
NO
ATL