Monday, September 26, 2016

Mercedes-Benz Superdome

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The Atlanta Falcons travel to Mercedes-Benz Superdome to play the New Orleans Saints on Monday, September 26, 2016. The opening line for this game has New Orleans as 3.5 point favorites and the over/under was set at 52.5. The Falcons are 1-1-0 against the spread and their over/under record is 2-0-0. The Saints have an over/under record of 1-1-0 and they are 1-1-0 against the spread.

Matt Ryan finished with 396 yards through the air for Atlanta last week. He completed 26 passes out of 34 attempts for a 76% completion percentage. The Falcons were led in rushing by Devonta Freeman, who finished with 93 yards on 17 rushes. He ended the contest with an average of 6 yards per carry. Julio Jones was the team leader in receiving with a total of 106 yards and 5 receptions. He finished the game with an average of 21 yards per reception. As a team in that game Atlanta got a total of 27 first downs. Of those first downs, 8 came on the ground while 18 came through the air. They ran 64 total plays for 528 yards for the game. The Falcons ran for 139 yards on 29 attempts.

Drew Brees finished with 263 yards passing for New Orleans last week. He went 29 for 44, resulting in a 66% completion percentage. The Saints were led on the ground by Mark Ingram, who finished with 30 yards on 9 carries. He ended the game with an average of 3 yards per rush. Brandin Cooks led the team in receiving with 68 yards and 7 catches. He finished the game with an average of 10 yards per reception. New Orleans had 16 first downs total. 1 came from running the ball and 15 came from a pass. They ran 59 total plays for 288 yards for the contest. The Saints ran for 41 yards on 13 carries as a team.

Atlanta scores 30 points per game on offense this season, which ranks 6th in the NFL. In the passing department, they average 27 passes on 37 attempts for a 73% completion percentage this season. They throw for a total of 356 yards per game through the air as well, which ranks them 1st in the league. The Falcons run for an average of 96 yards per game on 26 attempts for an average of 3.7 yards per carry. That ranks them 17th in the league. They also run 64 plays per contest and average 7 yards per play for an average of 451 yards per game, ranking their offense 2nd overall this season. The Falcons average 23 first downs per game which ranks them 8th in the NFL. They accumulate 73.5 penalty yards per game via 7 penalties, which ranks 11th in the league.

Atlanta allows 290 passing yards per game, ranking 22nd, and they allow 30 points per contest on defense, which ranks 27th. They give up 29 completions on 39 attempts per game for a completion percentage of 74%. The Falcons allow 123 rushing yards per game on 27 carries for an average of 4.6 yards per carry, which ranks their rush defense 26th in the NFL. Atlanta allows 413 total yards per game including 6.3 yards per play, which ranks their overall defense 29th in terms of yards per game. They get flagged for 7.5 penalties for 53 yards per game, ranking them 25th among NFL teams.

New Orleans averages 24 points per game this season on offense, which ranks them 14th in the league. In the passing department, they complete 29 passes per game on 43 attempts for a 67% completion percentage. They throw for 333 yards through the air per game, ranking them 4th. The Saints run for an average of 65 yards per game on 18 attempts for an average of 3.6 yards per carry this season, which ranks them 28th on the ground. They also run 62 plays per game and average 6.4 yards per play for a total of 398 yards per game, ranking them 9th in the league on offense. The Saints get an average of 22 first downs per game, which ranks 13th. They average 64.5 penalty yards per game via 7 penalties, ranking them 14th in the NFL.

New Orleans allows an average of 336 passing yards yards per game, which ranks 30th in the league. Their defense overall allows 26 points per contest, which has them ranked 22nd. They give up 28 completions on 40 attempts for a completion percentage of 70% per game. The Saints allow 116 rushing yards per contest on 29 carries for a 4 average per rush, ranking their overall rush defense 23rd in the NFL. New Orleans allows 452 total yards per game for an average of 6.5 yards per play, which ranks 31st in the league. They force 8.5 penalties for 83 yards in each contest, ranking 28th.

Atlanta Betting Trends

Atlanta is 2-0-0 against the over/under this season

Atlanta has an ATS record of 1-1-0 this season

New Orleans Betting Trends

New Orleans is 1-1-0 against the over/under this season

New Orleans has an ATS record of 1-1-0 this season

Injuries to Watch

Atlanta

09/19/16 S Keanu Neal Knee "?" Monday vs. New Orleans
09/18/16 LB Brooks Reed Shoulder "?" Monday vs. New Orleans
09/18/16 LB De'Vondre Campbell Ankle "?" Monday vs. New Orleans
09/02/16 WR Devin Fuller Shoulder IR
08/11/16 CB Jalen Collins Suspension expected to miss first 4 games

New Orleans

09/19/16 T Zach Strief Chest injured last game, "?" Monday vs. Atlanta
09/18/16 LB Dannell Ellerbe Quad "?" Monday vs. Atlanta
09/18/16 S Kenny Vaccaro Ankle injured last game, "?" Monday vs. Atlanta
09/18/16 CB P.J. Williams Concussion injured last game, "?" Monday vs. Atlanta
09/12/16 CB Delvin Breaux Fibula expected to miss 6-8 weeks
09/12/16 TE Josh Hill Ankle expected to miss 2-3 weeks
09/06/16 DT Sheldon Rankins Fibula IR
09/04/16 TE Michael Hoomanawanui Leg IR
08/31/16 CB Damian Swann Abdominal IR
08/31/16 LB Hau'oli Kikaha Knee PUP

Guy's Pick: Take Atlanta

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Guy Bruhn