New Orleans Saints (2-1) vs. Atlanta Falcons (1-2)
September 29, 2024 1:00 pm EDT
The Line: Atlanta Falcons -1.5; Over/Under: +45
(Get latest betting odds)
The New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons meet Sunday in NFL action from Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Here’s an Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Falcons vs Saints pick.
New Orleans Saints Betting Preview
The Saints opened up the year with a couple of impressive offensive performances. New Orleans kicked things off with a 47-10 blowout win over the Panthers, then came a 44-19 road victory over the Dallas Cowboys to move to 2-0.
In game three versus the Philadelphia Eagles, the Saints were up 3-0 heading into the final quarter. When the dust settled, however, New Orleans had a 15-12 loss. Derek Carr threw for 142 yards, one TD, and one pick. Tops in receiving was Chris Olave with 86 yards and a score off six grabs.
Atlanta Falcons Betting Preview
Over on the Atlanta side, their year began with a home matchup versus the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Falcons ended up losing that one 18-10. Game two was Atlanta’s first victory. That one came in a tight 22-21 road affair versus the Philadelphia Eagles.
Matched up against the Chiefs on Sunday evening, the Falcons were up 14-13 by the break. Atlanta was only able to find three points in the second half however and lost 22-17. Kirk Cousins managed 230 yards with a score and an interception, and Drake London caught six balls for 67 yards with a TD.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Saints’ last nine games played as underdogs on the East Coast have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Eight of the Falcons’ last nine September games against NFC South opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
- Four of the last five Sunday games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium have gone UNDER the total points line.
Atlanta Falcons Player Prop Facts
- Kyle Pitts has scored a touchdown in four of the Falcons’ last five games as home favorites.
- Kirk Cousins has recorded 307+ passing yards in seven of his last eight home appearances against NFC South opponents.
- Ray-Ray McCloud has recorded 22+ receiving yards in four of his last five regular season appearances.
- Ray-Ray McCloud has recorded 29+ rushing and receiving yards in each of his last four regular-season appearances.
- Tyler Allgeier has recorded 45+ rushing yards in four of the Falcons’ last five games following a home loss.
- Kirk Cousins has thrown two or more touchdowns in eight of his last nine September appearances against NFC opponents.
- Kirk Cousins has recorded 23+ completions in each of his last seven appearances with his team as a home favorite against NFC opponents.
- Bradley Pinion ranks 1st in the NFC amongst qualified players for gross average yards per punt (51.2) this season.
New Orleans Saints Player Prop Facts
- Juwan Johnson has recorded 40+ receiving yards in each of the Saints’ last four games against the Falcons.
- Jamaal Williams has recorded 33+ rushing and receiving yards in each of his last 11 Sunday appearances with his team as a road underdog.
- Alvin Kamara has scored the first touchdown in each of his last three September appearances with the Saints as underdogs.
- Jamaal Williams has recorded 25+ rushing yards in 22 of his last 23 appearances against division opponents.
- Taysom Hill has scored at least one touchdown in four of his last five appearances following a loss.
- Derek Carr has recorded 243+ passing yards in each of his last six September appearances with his team as an underdog.
- Derek Carr has recorded 27+ completions in three of his last four September appearances with his team as an underdog against NFC opponents.
- Derek Carr has thrown two or more touchdowns in each of his last eight September appearances with his team as an underdog.
- Alvin Kamara ranks T1st in the NFL in touchdowns (5) this season.
Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints Prediction
I’ll lean toward the Saints here, but you could make a case either way. Both teams need a good bounce-back offensively after some pretty tepid outcomes last weekend, though. In any case, the Saints notched just 219 yards (130 passing) and 12 first downs against the Eagles. Defensively New Orleans posted a couple of takeaways but also gave up 20 first downs, 6.9 yards per play, and 460 total yards (288 passing).
As for Atlanta, they put up 311 yards (229 passing) against the Chiefs but also went just 2-of-9 on third-down tries. The Falcons wilted after halftime and couldn’t find their initial mojo again—though there was a key (and very controversial) no-call near the end of the game. I like a better effort from both teams this time, with New Orleans powering out the cover/win in the end. The Saints scored a combined 91 points across their first two games, so they’ve certainly got the potential in them.
