Saints vs. Falcons Pick
Will Sunday be yet another shootout between the Saints and Falcons when the two teams clash at 4:25PM ET?
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetDSI, the Falcons are 7-point home favorites versus the Saints while the over/under is currently sitting at 56.5 points. Atlanta opened as a 6.5-point favorite but the line was bet up a half-point, while the total opened at 56 before climbing a half-point as well.
The Falcons enter this week relatively healthy, although Julio Jones (toe) was limited in Wednesday’s practice and Taylor Gabriel is dealing with a foot injury. That said, both Jones and Gabriel, who was able to practice Thursday after missing Wednesday, are both expected to play. Rookie tight end Austin Hooper is likely to miss another game with a MCL injury.
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OUR PREDICTION: Even with the total set at an inflated 56.5 points, there’s no reason to bet the under when these two teams get together. These rivals combined for 77 points in New Orleans in late September when the Falcons beat the Saints 45-32 on Monday Night Football. The total that night was set at 54 and the combined score still sailed over, and I expect it to again on Sunday. Matt Ryan is having a historic year and even though the Saints have nothing to play for, you know Sean Payton and Drew Brees will play to win. This should be a shootout from the opening whistle to the closing seconds.
NFL WEEK 17 PREDICTION: SAINTS/FALCONS OVER 56.5