One of the better divisional rivalries this decade has been Drew Brees vs. Matt Ryan, and they square off for the first time in 2017 as New Orleans visits Atlanta to kick off Week 14.
Brees and Ryan had some terrific shootouts in the now-imploded Georgia Dome, but they meet for the first time in the gleaming new Mercedes-Benz Stadium – also the site of this season’s College Football Playoff national title game.
Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
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Opening 4 Dec 10:22pm | NO | -1 -115 | O +53.5 -110 |
Closing 7 Dec 10:23pm | NO | -2.5 -110 | O +52 -115 |
It’s quite unusual for these NFC South rivals to play their first game against one another this late in the season. They will play again in New Orleans in Week 16. Atlanta closes with four divisional games.
With the quality of quarterbacks, its no surprise the teams played two very high-scoring games in 2016, with Atlanta winning both on the way to the NFC South title. The last regular-season game in the Georgia Dome was Week 17 last year, a 38-32 Falcons victory. If Ryan wasn’t already going to be named NFL MVP, that game likely clinched it as he threw for 331 yards and four scores. Atlanta was up 35-13 at the half, scoring TD on all five first-half possessions. All four of Ryan’s TD were before intermission and he was 17-for-19 in the half. The Saints scored 19 in the fourth quarter to make things interesting but couldn’t recover a late onside kick.
The Falcons are 4-6 SU & 5-5 ATS in the past 10 at home in the series. They have not won back-to-back games in that stretch.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints (9-3 SU, 8-4 ATS) have been one of the better bets in the NFL and are in sole possession of first in the NFC South after completing a season sweep of a good Carolina team on Sunday, 31-21. Alvin Kamara continued his brilliant first season – he’s your clear NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year favourite – with two touchdowns and 126 yards from scrimmage.
The Saints probably have the best 1-2 punch at running back in the league in Mark Ingram (14 carries, 85 yards, TD; six catches for 37 yards) and Kamara, who leads the league in averaging an absurd 7.0 yards per carry. Ingram and Kamara have combined for an average of 234 yards from scrimmage since Week 6. Also in Sunday’s win, Brees moved past Peyton Manning into second place in NFL history in completions.
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta (7-5 SU, 5-7 ATS) had its three-game winning streak snapped in a 14-9 home loss to scorching-hot Minnesota. The Falcons were held to 275 yards of offence and 1-for-10 on third down. Atlanta entered converting a league-best 48.1 per cent of its third downs. Ryan threw for only 173 yards. Starting tailback Devonta Freeman returned after missing two games with an injury and rushed for 74 yards on 12 carries. It’s going to be a challenge for the Falcons to return to the playoffs with league’s toughest remaining schedule (including visiting these Saints on Christmas Eve).
Weather

condition | dome |
Injuries
Michael Mauti (LB)
Terron Armstead (T)
Brandon Coleman (WR)
Trey Hendrickson (DE)
Michael Hoomanawanui (TE)
Cameron Jordan (DE)
David Onyemata (DT)
Sheldon Rankins (DT)
P.J. Williams (CB)
Andrus Peat (T)
LaRoy Reynolds (LB)
Levine Toilolo (TE)
Devonta Freeman (RB)
Julio Jones (WR)
Matt Ryan (QB)
Mohamed Sanu (WR)
Adrian Clayborn (DE)
Andy Levitre (G)
Alex Mack (C)
Andre Roberts (WR)
Injuries
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Michael Mauti (LB) | Ques Sun | Illness - 11 / 01 / 18 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Mauti has come down with an illness and his availability for the NFC divisional round against the Vikings is hazy. |
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Terron Armstead (T) | Prob Sun | Thigh - 10 / 01 / 18 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Armstead is expected to play in the NFC divisional round against the Vikings despite dealing with an injured thigh. |
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Brandon Coleman (WR) | Out Sun | Neck - 10 / 01 / 18 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Coleman has a neck injury and will not suit up against the Vikings in the NFC divisional round. |
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Trey Hendrickson (DE) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 10 / 01 / 18 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Hendrickson is nursing an ankle injury but is expected to play against the Vikings in the NFC divisional round. |
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Michael Hoomanawanui (TE) | Prob Sun | Back - 10 / 01 / 18 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Hoomanawanui is battling a back injury but will likely be available against the Vikings in the NFC divisional round. |
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Cameron Jordan (DE) | Prob Sun | Knee - 10 / 01 / 18 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Jordan was confined to a limited role in practice due to a knee injury but is expected to be available for the NFC divisional round against the Vikings. |
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David Onyemata (DT) | Prob Sun | Thumb - 10 / 01 / 18 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Onyemata is tending to a thumb injury but is likely to participate in the NFC divisional round against the Vikings. |
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Sheldon Rankins (DT) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 10 / 01 / 18 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Rankins is bothered by an ankle injury but is expected to line up against the Vikings in the NFC divisional round. |
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P.J. Williams (CB) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 10 / 01 / 18 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Williams is expected to play in the NFC divisional round against the Vikings despite an ankle injury. |
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Andrus Peat (T) | I-R | Shin - 07 / 01 / 18 | 0-2 | 2-0 | + - |
Peat is on injured reserve due to a broken left fibula and high-ankle sprain. |
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
LaRoy Reynolds (LB) | Prob Sat | Knee - 10 / 01 / 18 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Reynolds is battling a knee injury but is likely to partake in the NFC divisional round against the Eagles. |
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Levine Toilolo (TE) | Prob Sat | Knee - 10 / 01 / 18 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Toilolo will likely suit up against the Eagles in the NFC divisional round despite a knee injury. |
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Devonta Freeman (RB) | Prob Sat | Knee - 09 / 01 / 18 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Freeman was confined to a limited role in practice due to a knee injury but is expected to be available against the Eagles in the NFC divisional round. |
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Julio Jones (WR) | Prob Sat | Ankle - 09 / 01 / 18 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Jones is expected to suit up for the NFC divisional round against the Eagles despite an ankle injury. |
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Matt Ryan (QB) | Prob Sat | Personal - 09 / 01 / 18 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Ryan missed practice due to a personal matter but is expected to play against the Eagles in the NFC divisional round. |
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Mohamed Sanu (WR) | Prob Sat | Knee - 09 / 01 / 18 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Sanu is nursing a knee injury but is expected to take part in the NFC divisional round against the Eagles. |
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Adrian Clayborn (DE) | Prob Sat | Calf - 02 / 01 / 18 | 2-0 | 0-2 | + - |
Clayborn will likely line up against the Rams in the NFC wild-card round despite a calf injury. |
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Andy Levitre (G) | I-R | Tricep - 02 / 01 / 18 | 2-0 | 0-2 | + - |
Levitre is dealing with a torn triceps and is on injured reserve. |
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Alex Mack (C) | Prob Sat | Calf - 02 / 01 / 18 | 2-0 | 0-2 | + - |
Mack was confined to a limited role in practice due to a calf injury but is expected to be available against the Rams in the NFC wild-card round. |
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Andre Roberts (WR) | Prob Sat | Knee - 02 / 01 / 18 | 2-0 | 0-2 | + - |
Roberts is nursing injuries to his knee and ankle but is expected to be available against the Rams in the NFC wild-card round. |
Saints vs Falcons Prediction
-
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
31 -
ATLANTA FALCONS
34
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 4 Dec 10:22pm NO -1 -115 O +53.5 -110 Closing 7 Dec 10:23pm NO -2.5 -110 O +52 -115 -
Weather
condition dome -
Injuries
Michael Mauti (LB)
Ques Sun Illness - 11 / 01 / 18Terron Armstead (T)
Prob Sun Thigh - 10 / 01 / 18Brandon Coleman (WR)
Out Sun Neck - 10 / 01 / 18Trey Hendrickson (DE)
Prob Sun Ankle - 10 / 01 / 18Michael Hoomanawanui (TE)
Prob Sun Back - 10 / 01 / 18Cameron Jordan (DE)
Prob Sun Knee - 10 / 01 / 18David Onyemata (DT)
Prob Sun Thumb - 10 / 01 / 18Sheldon Rankins (DT)
Prob Sun Ankle - 10 / 01 / 18P.J. Williams (CB)
Prob Sun Ankle - 10 / 01 / 18Andrus Peat (T)
I-R Shin - 07 / 01 / 18LaRoy Reynolds (LB)
Prob Sat Knee - 10 / 01 / 18Levine Toilolo (TE)
Prob Sat Knee - 10 / 01 / 18Devonta Freeman (RB)
Prob Sat Knee - 09 / 01 / 18Julio Jones (WR)
Prob Sat Ankle - 09 / 01 / 18Matt Ryan (QB)
Prob Sat Personal - 09 / 01 / 18Mohamed Sanu (WR)
Prob Sat Knee - 09 / 01 / 18Adrian Clayborn (DE)
Prob Sat Calf - 02 / 01 / 18Andy Levitre (G)
I-R Tricep - 02 / 01 / 18Alex Mack (C)
Prob Sat Calf - 02 / 01 / 18Andre Roberts (WR)
Prob Sat Knee - 02 / 01 / 18Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Michael Mauti (LB) Ques Sun Illness - 11 / 01 / 18 0-1 1-0 + - Mauti has come down with an illness and his availability for the NFC divisional round against the Vikings is hazy.
Terron Armstead (T) Prob Sun Thigh - 10 / 01 / 18 0-1 1-0 + - Armstead is expected to play in the NFC divisional round against the Vikings despite dealing with an injured thigh.
Brandon Coleman (WR) Out Sun Neck - 10 / 01 / 18 0-1 1-0 + - Coleman has a neck injury and will not suit up against the Vikings in the NFC divisional round.
Trey Hendrickson (DE) Prob Sun Ankle - 10 / 01 / 18 0-1 1-0 + - Hendrickson is nursing an ankle injury but is expected to play against the Vikings in the NFC divisional round.
Michael Hoomanawanui (TE) Prob Sun Back - 10 / 01 / 18 0-1 1-0 + - Hoomanawanui is battling a back injury but will likely be available against the Vikings in the NFC divisional round.
Cameron Jordan (DE) Prob Sun Knee - 10 / 01 / 18 0-1 1-0 + - Jordan was confined to a limited role in practice due to a knee injury but is expected to be available for the NFC divisional round against the Vikings.
David Onyemata (DT) Prob Sun Thumb - 10 / 01 / 18 0-1 1-0 + - Onyemata is tending to a thumb injury but is likely to participate in the NFC divisional round against the Vikings.
Sheldon Rankins (DT) Prob Sun Ankle - 10 / 01 / 18 0-1 1-0 + - Rankins is bothered by an ankle injury but is expected to line up against the Vikings in the NFC divisional round.
P.J. Williams (CB) Prob Sun Ankle - 10 / 01 / 18 0-1 1-0 + - Williams is expected to play in the NFC divisional round against the Vikings despite an ankle injury.
Andrus Peat (T) I-R Shin - 07 / 01 / 18 0-2 2-0 + - Peat is on injured reserve due to a broken left fibula and high-ankle sprain.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes LaRoy Reynolds (LB) Prob Sat Knee - 10 / 01 / 18 1-0 0-1 + - Reynolds is battling a knee injury but is likely to partake in the NFC divisional round against the Eagles.
Levine Toilolo (TE) Prob Sat Knee - 10 / 01 / 18 1-0 0-1 + - Toilolo will likely suit up against the Eagles in the NFC divisional round despite a knee injury.
Devonta Freeman (RB) Prob Sat Knee - 09 / 01 / 18 1-0 0-1 + - Freeman was confined to a limited role in practice due to a knee injury but is expected to be available against the Eagles in the NFC divisional round.
Julio Jones (WR) Prob Sat Ankle - 09 / 01 / 18 1-0 0-1 + - Jones is expected to suit up for the NFC divisional round against the Eagles despite an ankle injury.
Matt Ryan (QB) Prob Sat Personal - 09 / 01 / 18 1-0 0-1 + - Ryan missed practice due to a personal matter but is expected to play against the Eagles in the NFC divisional round.
Mohamed Sanu (WR) Prob Sat Knee - 09 / 01 / 18 1-0 0-1 + - Sanu is nursing a knee injury but is expected to take part in the NFC divisional round against the Eagles.
Adrian Clayborn (DE) Prob Sat Calf - 02 / 01 / 18 2-0 0-2 + - Clayborn will likely line up against the Rams in the NFC wild-card round despite a calf injury.
Andy Levitre (G) I-R Tricep - 02 / 01 / 18 2-0 0-2 + - Levitre is dealing with a torn triceps and is on injured reserve.
Alex Mack (C) Prob Sat Calf - 02 / 01 / 18 2-0 0-2 + - Mack was confined to a limited role in practice due to a calf injury but is expected to be available against the Rams in the NFC wild-card round.
Andre Roberts (WR) Prob Sat Knee - 02 / 01 / 18 2-0 0-2 + - Roberts is nursing injuries to his knee and ankle but is expected to be available against the Rams in the NFC wild-card round.