The Atlanta Falcons lost the NFC South to the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints last season. New Orleans is the favorite this season. Atlanta wants to make an early statement.
New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons
Sunday, September 7th – 1:00 PM ET
Odds: New Orleans -3
Why The Saints Will Cover
They have fewer true question marks on their team. New Orleans is strong at the line of scrimmage. The Saints had a decent amount of success running the ball on the road in the NFC playoffs last January, especially in the wild card round against the Philadelphia Eagles. New Orleans has a solid offensive line that is not just a finesse offensive line in a soft passing system. The Saints showed in the playoffs that they can play a more physical kind of football than what many fans previously thought they could. If New Orleans can generate any kind of running game here against the Atlanta Falcons, whose defensive line was a problem last season, the Saints can get the Falcons off balance and set up the deep pass with the run. The running game is more of a strength for New Orleans than it is for Atlanta, and that’s an important difference to point out in this game.
New Orleans also has outside pass rushers on defense, Cameron Jordan and Junior Galette, who can make life difficult for Atlanta’s reconstituted offensive line. The Falcons’ pass protection was their biggest issue last season, something the organization feverishly tried to address in the offseason. New Orleans has the personnel to exploit favorable matchups against the Falcons up front. That would put a crimp in Atlanta’s passing game.
Why The Falcons Will Cover
They are going to be highly motivated for this game. Atlanta was the NFC South champion in 2012, but it lost an opening day game to the Saints in New Orleans last season, and the Falcons’ season never really was the same after that. The Falcons have been planning and working all summer to get to where the Saints are now. Atlanta had been an annual playoff team, but it lost control a year ago. Now, this organization, which has proven players such as quarterback Matt Ryan, has a very real chance of getting back on the bike and speeding toward the playoffs. The offensive line is still uncertain, but it gave up only two sacks of Ryan in 79 plays during the preseason. Jon Asamoah and first-round draft pick Jake Matthews have given the Falcons the real hope that they can protect Ryan this season. It’s not just wishful thinking, but it’s very realistic that the Falcons could become a solid pass-blocking team again. The other thing to simply keep in mind is that Atlanta’s star receiver, Julio Jones, was injured for most of the 2013 season. With him back in the fold, Ryan has his top target and a man who can change games with a handful of big plays.
Outlook
If the Saints aren’t at their very best in a season opening environment, Atlanta can sneak up on them. This game is on the Falcons’ home field, and the Ryan-Jones passing combo should do very well. Take the Falcons in the upset.
Pick: Falcons +3
