Week one of the 2022 NFL season is right around the corner with an NFC South showdown between the Atlanta Falcons (0-0) and the New Orleans Saints (0-0), and we got you covered. Consider this article your Falcons vs Saints betting guide
Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints
Here are the Falcons vs Saints betting odds
New Orleans Saints Current Odds
The Saints are heavy road favorites in this matchup with the money line set of Saints -235 and are giving the Falcons 6 points.
Atlanta Falcons Current Odds
The Falcons are home underdogs in this NFC South contest getting 6 points (-215) with +195 odds to win against their division rival.
Strength and Weaknesses For the New Orleans Saints
Strengths:
The strength of the Saints is, by far, their defense, specifically upfront. Led by Cameron Jordan, New Orleans amassed 46 sacks (eighth) last season.
Saints’ Stats
Despite a slow start, the defensive leader for the New Orleans Saints‘ stats were still impressive, including 8.5 sacks over the final four games. Best believe Jordan greatly impacted the over/under Falcons vs Saints betting odds.
Marcus Davenport posted a career-high 7.5 sacks even after missing a month of action last season. New Orleans has had a top-four rush defense four years in a row.
Demario Davis is a wrecking machine in the middle, and his running mate Pete Werner. had 62 tackles in eight games as a rookie last season.
Saints Should Still Be Strong
The secondary for the Saints should still be strong, even after losing safeties Malcolm Jenkins and Marcus Willams in the offseason.
New Orleans brought in strong safety Marcus Maye from the Jets to replace Jenkins and signed All-Pro free safety Tyrann Mathieu to take over for Williams.
At the corner, Marshon Lattimore had probably the best season of his career in 2021, with career highs in tackles and passes defended.
Paulson Adebo, the Saints’ third-round cornerback, had three interceptions as a rookie last year.
With C.J. Gardner Johnson back at the slot corner for the Saints, there should be no dropoff for this defense.
Weaknesses
2021 was the worst Saints offense under head coach Sean Payton, finishing with the franchise’s lowest ranking in total offense (28th) since the Mike Ditka era.
The Saints could also be without one of the league’s best running backs Alvin Kamera who is facing suspension.
Jameis Winston is coming off a torn ACL, had a 14-3 touchdown to interception ratio last season, posting the highest quarterback rating of his career.
Michael Thomas is back from his ankle injury and will look to rediscover is record-setting 149 reception 2019 season.
In addition to Thomas returning, the Saints upgraded their receiving committee significantly by signing five-time pro bowler Jarvis Landry and drafting Ohio State WR Chris Olave in the first round.
The offensive line for the Saints could potentially be a problem for the Saints, but Erin McCoy is solid at the center position and Ryan Ramczyk is one of the league’s best on the right side.
Atlanta Falcons Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
There’s no doubt the Atlanta Falcons are in rebuilding mode, and there are not too many Falcons picks of strength to choose from, which has shown signs in the Falcons vs Saints betting odds.
The Falcons picked up Damien Williams from Kansas City Chiefs, and fifth-rounder Tyler Allgeier could be an immediate fit for Atlanta’s offensive scheme with his physical running style.
Kyle Pitts, the tight end drafted fourth overall, lived up to the hype in his rookie season with 1,026 yards and made the pro bowl in his rookie season.
The biggest and probably only strength on this Falcons defense is their cornerback duo of Casey Hayward and A.J. Terell, who combined only allowed 588 yards.
Weaknesses:
The biggest weakness on offense for the Falcons is at quarterback. With future hall of Famer Matt Ryan leaving for Indianapolis this offseason, Marcus Mariota, who is a slightly below-average quarterback at best, will be his replacement.
Last year, Atlanta ranked 31st in rush offense which comes as no surprise, considering Cordarrelle Patterson was their leading rusher with 618 yards.
Wide receiver Calvin Ridley is out for the season, leaving rookie Drake London as the primary target for Mariota.
Outside of left tackle Jake Matthews and right guard Chris Lindstrom, the Falcons offensive line is absolutely atrocious.
Saints Defense
Defensively, the Saints were the only unit ranked below 50.0 by PFF and ranked 26th in total defense and 30th in scoring defense.
Expect the defense to be even worse this year. Foye Oluokun, who led the NFL with 192 tackles, is now a jaguar.
Outside of the strong cornerback duo for the Falcons, Atlanta’s defense is horrible and couldn’t stop a nosebleed.
New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons Season Forecast
Saints Season Forecast
Despite significant injuries and turmoil, the Saints were still able to win nine games last season. With a healthier and more talented-looking roster this season, the Saints should easily go over their 8.5 projected season win total this year.
Falcons Season Forecast
The Falcons had the fifth-worst scoring differential in the NFL last season, getting outscored by 146 points. They were also ranked 30th by Football Outsiders in DVOA.
Atlanta was a bad team that managed to somehow win seven games last season, all of which were by one score.
Expect this Falcons team to regress dramatically and go under their projected season win total of five games.
What to Expect From This Matchup?
Expect the Saints to shut out the Falcons, outscoring Atlanta just with their defense. The Falcons vs Saints betting odds in no way reflect what is actually going to happen in this game.
The Saints opened up last season, blowing out four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers 38-3, and this game has the potential to be even worse than that.
New Orleans vs. Atlanta Falcons Prediction and Best Bets
New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons betting prediction:
NFL Pick: Saints -6
NFL Pick: Saints (2.95)
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