New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons Odds & Game Pick (2022)

This game helps decide who makes the playoffs. New Orleans needs to win this game to have an opportunity to make the playoffs. The 49ers and Saints are still in the hunt for the playoffs, so this is one of the few Week 18 games that have meaning besides improving the team's seed. Games that mean something for the sports team help sports bettors. Teams put in more effort when they are playing for something. The Saints and the 49ers are both playing for a chance at the playoffs. Both teams will be playing hard to make the playoffs, and we will see that reflected in the scoring. Let us look into this exciting Week 18 matchup.

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Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

Details

• Opening Lines: Atlanta Falcons -1.5, Total 48
• Current Lines: New Orleans Saints -4, Total 39.5
• Last Game: November 7, 2021, Atlanta Falcons 27-25
• Winning Streak: Atlanta Falcons (1)

Overview

The Saints have been anything but pretty this second half of the season. They have struggled to score points, but they are playing the best defenses in the NFL. In their last six games, they have gone up against teams ranked in the top half of the NFL in defense besides the Jets. This week they go up against the 29th ranked defense in the NFL. When going up against the bottom eight defenses in the league, the Saints are averaging 29 points per game. This Saints team is starting to get players back. They have also proven they can score against defenses ranked in the bottom half of the NFL. The Falcons defense is on the lower end of the NFL defenses and is giving up an average of 27 points per game.  

The Falcons haven't had much on defense this year. Atlanta has one of the worst defenses in the league when it comes to points allowed. Their offense ranks in the middle of the NFL. They average 19 points per game, and when they played against the Saints earlier in the year, they won 27-25. This Falcons offense can score points consistently. They have scored over 13 points six games in a row, and that number is key to them getting the over in this game. Their defense is giving up an average of 27 points per game, and they are scoring over 13 points per game in their last few games. 

Bottom Line

The last time these two teams played, the total was 52 points. That is because both of these defenses are playing poorly this year. Both teams have weapons on offense that can produce big plays. Alvin Kamara and Kyle Pitts are some of these big-play ability players that will play in this game. The Saints are also playing for something. That means that the Saints will keep trying to score as much as possible to make the playoffs. The line on this game has moved nine points which adds additional betting value to this play. The betting value is all on the over in this matchup. 

Pick:  Total Over 39.5  (-110)

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Cameron Lynch is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Cameron, check out his archive and follow him @captron26.