Fansided

Falcons at Saints: Odds, trends and more

By Matt Verderame

Oct 4, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) passes against the Houston Texans during the second half at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons defeated the Texans 48-21. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) passes against the Houston Texans during the second half at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons defeated the Texans 48-21. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Atlanta Falcons are one of the five undefeated teams remaining in the National Football League through five weeks, and they kick off Week 6 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome against the New Orleans Saints.

Next: Ranking The 32 NFL Offenses For 2015

The two will square off on Thursday Night Football, and it is the visiting Falcons who are favored by three points, according to OddsShark. The over/under is set at 51.

Atlanta has been one of the surprise teams of the season. After going 6-10 last year and finishing in third place within the lousy NFC South, the Falcons fired head coach Mike Smith and hired Dan Quinn. The results have been incredible, with Quinn turning the worst defense of last year into an opportunistic group in 2015. The offense has been buoyed by the fine play of rookie running back Devonta Freeman and an improved offensive line.

New Orleans has seen no such rays of hope. The Saints are 1-4 and look dismal on both sides of the ball. Their only win came against the depleted Dallas Cowboys at the Superdome, and even that took overtime.

Some might be tempted to take the Saints here because they have been notoriously good at home in recent years, but that is in the past. New Orleans is 1-6 against the spread over its last seven home games. Conversely, the Falcons are 5-1 ATS in their previous six road affairs. Considering those trends, plus the massive difference in talent, it appears Atlanta deserves most of the money from the bettors.

Home/Atlanta Falcons