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Falcons vs. Saints Prediction and Odds for NFL Week 15 (Desmond Ridder Will Stumble in First Ever Start)

By Iain MacMillan

Aug 27, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (4) passes against
Aug 27, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (4) passes against / Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
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Somehow, some way, the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints are still alive in the race for the NFC South.

The division leader is the 6-7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, then the 5-8 Carolina Panthers and Falcons are right behind them, then the Saints bring up the rear at 4-9.

The winner of this week's game between the Falcons and Saints will be very much in the hunt, especially the Falcons, who would be tied with the Bucs with a win and a Tampa Bay loss to the Bengals.

The Saints had a huge come from behind victory against the Falcons in the opening week of the season. Can Atlanta get its revenge? Let's dive into the odds.

Falcons vs. Saints Odds, Spread, and Total

Falcons vs. Saints Betting Trends

  • Falcons are 1-6 ATS in their last seven games
  • The UNDER is 4-1 in the Falcons' last five games
  • Saints are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games against Falcons
  • The OVER is 8-4 in the Falcons' last 12 games against NFC South opponents
  • The UNDER is 5-1 in the Saints' last six games
  • Saints are 4-2 ATS in their last six home games

Falcons vs. Saints Prediction and Pick

I've been saying the same thing for several weeks now, but I still believe it to be true. The Saints are better than their record indicates. They rank ninth in both yards per play and opponent yards per play.

Their issue, which has plagued them all season, has been the inability to create turnovers while also not generating turnovers themselves. They rank 31st in average turnover margin at -0.9.

For that reason, I'm going to back New Orleans in this spot and hope the Saints don't get into turnover issues once again. The Falcons have been one of the worst defenses in the NFL, and it's going to cost them in this matchup.

The Falcons are 28th in opponent yards per play, allowing 5.8 yards per snap, while also ranking 30th in opponent third down conversion rate, allowing teams to convert 47.4% of third downs into first downs against them.

The story of the game will be that Desmond Ridder will be getting his first start in the NFL. As a Falcons fan, I hope he does well, but I can't bet on a rookie quarterback getting his first start in Week 15.

I'll lay the points with the Saints.

You can track Iain's bets on Betstamp here.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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