Add the fact that Ryan has one of the best wide receivers in the game in Julio Jones and Falcons fan have a lot to feel optimistic about. The New Orleans Saints are experiencing a very different feeling coming into this Week 3 contest, entering with an 0-2 record and hoping to turn the tide.
This could be one of the more entertaining games of the weekend, as both teams have high-powered offenses and little in the way of defense.
This matchup in Week 3 of the regular season will take place on Monday, September 26, 2016, at 8:30 p.m. ET at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Falcons +3
Saints -3
Over/Under 53.5
Odds Analysis
While the Falcons have been the more impressive team early on, the bettors like the Saints to cover in this one, as they are the choice in 69 percent of the wagers.
Even with a high scoring total, the “over” is getting hit hard, as 93 percent of the money is heading that way as gamblers expect a shootout.
Injury Report
P.J. Williams -- The Saints’ starting cornerback suffered a concussion last week and could be out for this one. The other starter, Delvin Breaux, is also down for a significant amount of time with a broken fibula.
Jones -- One of the best receivers in the game, Jones is now dealing with a calf injury but is expected to play. If he sits, that’s a huge storyline and could shift the betting significantly.
Player to Watch
Ryan. It will be interesting to see how the 31-year-old quarterback performs this week in the Superdome following his stellar showing last week against the Raiders. Ryan completed 26-of-34 pass attempts against Oakland for 396 yards with three touchdowns and one red-zone interception.
Ryan was well-protected and, as anticipated, the offense used the play-action a lot and effectively. He spread the ball out much more too last Sunday, and looked like the early-career Ryan following some disappointment in recent seasons.
He gets a good matchup, as the Saints were poor defensively before the injuries in the secondary and now will be scrambling if they don’t have their two best cornerbacks.
The Saints always score points in the Superdome, so it is incumbent on Ryan to light up the scoreboard so his team can keep pace.
Free ATS Pick
The Saints are still looking for their first win of the season after falling to Oakland by a point in Week 1 and then losing to the Giants by a field goal last week. The run game has been a real issue as the team is averaging only 64.5 yards on the ground through the first two games, tied for 29th in the league.
The defense held up well enough last week but the offense surprisingly could not get untracked. That should change as Drew Brees will be able to attack a soft Falcons defense.
The Falcons started off hot last year before fizzling, and hope to move to 3-0 and maintain it moving forward. The Saints have lost a pair of close contests and need to turn it on if they have any hope of making the playoffs. Brees isn’t getting any younger and the window of opportunity with him at the helm is rapidly closing.
New Orleans is a slight favorite, but this one is a real toss-up. The team that has the ball last could end up winning it. Even though the over-under is expecting a lot of points, don’t be afraid of still taking the “over” as the teams will be passing the ball all over the field.
NFL Odds: Falcons 34, Saints 30
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