PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* MNF Coach's Clinic *LIMITED TIME OFFER* (1/2 OFF!)
(NFL) Atlanta vs. New Orleans,
Point Spread: 3.00 | -120.00 Atlanta (Away)
Result: Win
Point Spread: 3.00 | -120.00 Atlanta (Away)
Result: Win
Atlanta: QB Matt Ryan has topped 4,000 yards in five consecutive seasons but he is also coming off a campaign in which he threw the second-fewest TD passes (21) and second-most INTs (16) of his eight-year career. The 2016 season opened with legitimate questions being asked as to whether Ryan's moniker of "Matty Ice" is in fact, beginning to melt away! However, Ryan has gotten off to a fast start with 730 yards passing with five scores and just one interception while leading the league with a 121.4 QB rating. It sure helps that the RB duo of Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman have combined for 181 rushing yards plus they've added 11 catches, as well. The not so good news is Atlanta's defense ranks 29th overall, allowing an average of 412.5 YPG, while allowing 29.5 PPG (27th).
New Orleans: The Saints would love to be 1-1 like the Falcons but are 0-2, after one-point and three-point losses. New Orleans was horrendous on defense last season, ranking 31st in total yards (413.8 per) and last in points allowed (29.8 per). Little has changed through two games in 2016, as New Orleans ranks 31st (again) in total D (451.4 YPG), although somehow the team held the Giants to a modest 16 points last week, after allowing the Raiders to score 35 points at the Superdome in a Week 1 game. There's nothing wrong with QB Drew Brees (66.3%/ 686 YP / 5-0 ratio / 109.9 QB rating) plus he has a potent receiving duo in Willie Snead and Brandon Cooks, who have combined for 27 catches and four TDs. However, the running game averages just 64.5 YPG on 3.7 YPC. Former Heisman winner Mark Ingram has just 88 rushing yards (on only 21 attempts), including nine carries in last week's 19-16 loss at the New York Giants. "From a rushing standpoint, I think we had some early positive runs, and all of a sudden we end up with the game over and only 13 rushing attempts (overall)," Payton said of the Week 2 loss. "I don't like the balance there."
The pick: The history book will note that the Saints are 15-5 versus Atlanta since Payton and Brees joined the team, including a season sweep in 2015. However, the Saints have been struggling at home since the middle of the 2014 season. New Orleans is just 4-10 SU (4-9-1 ATS) over its last 14 home games plus how does one ignore the fact that the Falcons are 10-3 ATS their last 13 times as an underdog. Take the points! Atlanta is a 10*!
New Orleans: The Saints would love to be 1-1 like the Falcons but are 0-2, after one-point and three-point losses. New Orleans was horrendous on defense last season, ranking 31st in total yards (413.8 per) and last in points allowed (29.8 per). Little has changed through two games in 2016, as New Orleans ranks 31st (again) in total D (451.4 YPG), although somehow the team held the Giants to a modest 16 points last week, after allowing the Raiders to score 35 points at the Superdome in a Week 1 game. There's nothing wrong with QB Drew Brees (66.3%/ 686 YP / 5-0 ratio / 109.9 QB rating) plus he has a potent receiving duo in Willie Snead and Brandon Cooks, who have combined for 27 catches and four TDs. However, the running game averages just 64.5 YPG on 3.7 YPC. Former Heisman winner Mark Ingram has just 88 rushing yards (on only 21 attempts), including nine carries in last week's 19-16 loss at the New York Giants. "From a rushing standpoint, I think we had some early positive runs, and all of a sudden we end up with the game over and only 13 rushing attempts (overall)," Payton said of the Week 2 loss. "I don't like the balance there."
The pick: The history book will note that the Saints are 15-5 versus Atlanta since Payton and Brees joined the team, including a season sweep in 2015. However, the Saints have been struggling at home since the middle of the 2014 season. New Orleans is just 4-10 SU (4-9-1 ATS) over its last 14 home games plus how does one ignore the fact that the Falcons are 10-3 ATS their last 13 times as an underdog. Take the points! Atlanta is a 10*!
