Fansided

NFL Week 1 betting odds: 5 best bets against the spread

By Brad Rowland

Dec 29, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cleveland Browns center Alex Mack (55) prepares to snap the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers defense during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Pittsburgh Steelers won 20-7. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cleveland Browns center Alex Mack (55) prepares to snap the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers defense during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Pittsburgh Steelers won 20-7. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Atlanta Falcons (+3) over New Orleans Saints

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) against the New Orleans Saints during a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Falcons 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) against the New Orleans Saints during a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Falcons 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

No one likes the Falcons in this game, and that is a defensible opinion. As I pen this, 79 percent of side-bet tickets are on the Saints and 82 percent of the money line action is on New Orleans. The Saints are a trendy Super Bowl pick, while the Falcons were 4-12 last season and they lost their starting left tackle in the middle of what was an up and down preseason.

Naturally, I’m taking the Falcons.

Aside from the “fade the public” theory (which I always support), the Falcons will be playing in front of a raucous Georgia Dome crowd against their biggest rival. More than that, however, Atlanta has the trio of Julio Jones, Roddy White and Steven Jackson healthy, they possess a completely revamped and improved offensive line, and the Falcons have the personnel to shut down the Saints running attack for the first time in two seasons.

The Saints will almost assuredly be effective in throwing the ball against a bad Atlanta pass rush, but in a game that is a virtual coin flip given the venue, the points are helpful.

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