Simulation Picks
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Expert Picks
After watching Chiefs-Rams, both teams will want to prove how good they are on offense. The first matchup ended with a 43-37 score, and this one should be close to the same, something like 38-35. Go Over.
The Saints are the best team in the NFL and are a covering machine. They're 8-2 ATS on the season, but they're only 3-2 ATS at home. And while it may be foolish to pick against them, I just have a hard time going against double-digit dogs in division games.
The first game was a 43-37 final in overtime. For some reason, Atlanta is able to score on the Saints' defense. New Orleans is certainly going to score, because the Saints score on everyone. They've averaged 48 points the past three weeks. Go Over.
The Saints are coming into this game on fire, winners of nine straight games. Most importantly, they come into this rivalry game playing great defense. What will be interesting to watch is the pass defense of the Saints. Can they continue to find ways to turn the ball over? That'll be the $1 million dollar question. That aside, I struggle to see how the Falcons can keep Matt Ryan well-protected. The Saints' defense seems to do a great job of being able to apply pressure on Ryan under Sean Payton.
Saints mania has swept the public. The spread shot up from 10 after another New Orleans dismantling, this time of the Eagles and their depleted secondary. Atlanta’s defense is on the improve. Its offense gets some relief after bumping up last Sunday against Dallas’ formidable D. More importantly, during Rivalry Week in college football, this heated NFL rivalry would fit right in. Underdogs have covered in eight of the past 10 meetings.
This is usually a tight rivalry game, the last seven meetings decided by 10 or fewer points. So why lay nearly two touchdowns? Well, this is not a normal Saints team. They've covered eight straight, many by huge margins. They've averaged 48 points the past three weeks against defenses (Rams, Bengals, Eagles) that, on average, are much better than Atlanta's. The Falcons' season basically ended Sunday with a critical home loss to Dallas. New Orleans is playing with urgency to secure homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. Lay it.