Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints

Monday, 12/26/11, 8:30 PM EDT, TV:  ESPN
Opening Point Spread:  New Orleans -6.5
Current Betting Line:  New Orleans -6.5
Opening Total:  53
Current Total:  52

Atlanta is definitely seeking revenge from its 26-23 overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints as one-point home favorites inside the Georgia Dome on Nov. 13.  The Falcons have won four of their last five games, while the ‘under’ is 3-2 in those contests.  The entire locker room is enthused about the rest of the year after registering a dominating 41-14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars last week on Thursday night.  “That’s what we need,” stated Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan.  He has been sensational over the last two weeks, throwing seven touchdowns and no interceptions.  Atlanta is 1-1 ATS when playing on Monday Night Football the last two-plus years.

The Falcons passing attack should definitely be able to move the ball against a Saints defense that has grabbed just eight interceptions.  Ryan needs just 302 passing yards over the final two weeks to become the second Falcons player with 4,000 yards in a season.  Do everything back Darren Sproles figures to play a prominent role in deciding who will win this game, being the only NFL player with two-plus rushing touchdowns, two-plus receiving touchdowns and a return touchdown.  On the other side of the ball, Atlanta possesses the fourth-best defense against the run and will be challenged by a Saints attack that ranks eighth in the league in rushing yards.

New Orleans has some work to do in order to pick up the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs, as the San Francisco 49ers are currently occupying the spot.  “The sky’s the limit and that’s where we’re trying to get to,” stated Saints safety Roman Harper.  The Saints are one of the hottest teams in football, winning their last six games, including a two-game sweep of their recent road trip against the Tennessee Titans (22-17) and Minnesota Vikings (42-20).  New Orleans is 9-4 ATS when playing a winning team during the second half of the season the last two-plus seasons.

The Saints would clinch the NFC South division title with a victory in prime-time tonight and quarterback Drew Brees figures to play a large role in deciding the contest.  Brees is coming off a spectacular 412-yard and five-touchdown performance, leaving him just 305 passing yards away from Dan Marino’s single-season passing yards record.  New Orleans ranks first in the NFL in total offense, while checking in tied for 24th in defense.  It’s important to note that the franchise is 9-3 against Atlanta with Brees under center.

Bettors will likely back the Falcons due to their 8-2 ATS mark in December, while the favorite is 0-5 ATS in the last five meetings.

Pick:

Atlanta Falcons +6.5