New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons Week 14 NFL Picks & Predictions 12/7/2017

Thursday, December 7, 2017

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Get todays NFL Odds & Lines on this game

The New Orleans Saints travel to Mercedes-Benz Stadium to take on the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday, December 7, 2017. The opening line for this game has New Orleans as 4 point favorites. The over/under has been set at 55. The Saints have an ATS record of 8-4-0 while their over/under record is 7-5-0. The Falcons have an over/under record of 5-7-0 and they are 5-7-0 against the spread.

Valuable New Orleans Saints Betting Trends

The New Orleans Saints are 7-5-0 against the over/under

The New Orleans Saints are 8-4-0 against the spread

Important Atlanta Falcons Betting Trends

The Atlanta Falcons are 5-7-0 against the over/under

The Atlanta Falcons are 5-7-0 against the spread

Key New Orleans Saints Injuries

12/03/17 S Marcus Williams Groin is "?" Thursday vs Atlanta
12/03/17 CB Marshon Lattimore Ankle is "?" Thursday vs Atlanta
12/02/17 TE Coby Fleener Concussion IR
11/20/17 DE Alex Okafor Achilles is out for season
11/13/17 RB Daniel Lasco Back IR
10/04/17 LB Alex Anzalone Arm IR
10/03/17 T Zach Strief Knee IR
09/27/17 DT David Parry Ankle IR
09/24/17 DE Mitchell Loewen Ankle IR
09/08/17 LS Jon Dorenbos Illness out indefinitely
09/05/17 CB Delvin Breaux Fibula IR

Key Atlanta Falcons Injuries

12/04/17 G Andy Levitre Triceps injured last game, is downgraded to OUT Thursday vs New Orleans
12/04/17 CB Desmond Trufant Concussion is upgraded to probable Thursday vs New Orleans
12/03/17 LB Sean Weatherspoon Illness is "?" Thursday vs New Orleans
12/03/17 CB Brian Poole Back is "?" Thursday vs New Orleans
10/31/17 LB Jordan Tripp Concussion IR
10/03/17 DE Jack Crawford Biceps IR

Useful Offensive Statistics

The New Orleans Saints are 3rd in the NFL in points scored with 353. They have run 766 plays this season for 4,903 yards, which ranks them 2nd in the league in total offense. The Saints average 6.4 yards per play, which is 1st in the National Football League. As a team they have accumulated a total of 258 1st downs this year, placing them 5th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground New Orleans has run for 1,711 yards as a team, which ranks 3rd in the NFL. They've run 344 times, averaging 5 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Saints have been penalized on offense 76 times for 720 yards so far this season, which has them 22nd in the league in penalties. Drew Brees has thrown for 3,298 yards this season. He has completed 291 passes on 407 attempts for a completion percentage of 71.5%. His quarterback rating is 104.2. He averages 8.1 yards per pass attempt and 11.3 yards per completion.

Defensive Statistics

New Orleans is 12th in the league in points allowed on defense with 243. They have surrendered a total of 3,961 yards on D, which is 12th in the NFL. The Saints are ranked 20th in yards per play allowed with 5.4. Their pass defense has given up 6 net yards per pass attempt, placing them 13th in the league as a unit. Opposing offenses have completed 245 passes on 401 attempts against the New Orleans Saints defense this season, placing them 10th and 14th in the National Football League. The New Orleans pass defense has also given up a total of 2,607 yards through the air, which is 11th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense has allowed 293 attempts for 1,354 yards this year, putting them in 17th place in the league against the run. The Saints have committed 84 penalties for 659 yards on the defensive side of the ball this season. That ranks them 12th in the NFL. They've given up a score on 33.6% of possessions on defense, which is 12th in the league.

Special Teams Stats

New Orleans is ranked 17th in the league in punt returns with 24. They've accumulated 146 punt return yards and average 6.1 yards per return, which is 25th in the NFL. Their longest punt return so far this year is 24 yards. They have returned 22 kicks for 430 yards on special teams, ranking 25th in kick return yardage. The Saints average 19.5 yards per kick return and have a long of 39 yards this year. They are 4th in the league in all-purpose yards with 5,585. The New Orleans Saints have attempted 30 field goals this season and made 25, which is 8th in the National Football League. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 83.3%. New Orleans Saints kickers have made 92% of their extra points, going 36 for 39 this year. Their punters have totaled 1,974 yards on 41 punts, averaging 48.1 yards per punt. That places them 5th in the NFL in punting average.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Atlanta Falcons have run for 1,387 yards as a unit, which ranks 11th in the league. They've run 312 times, averaging 4.4 yards per rush as a unit. The Falcons have been penalized on offense 75 times for 672 yards so far this year, which has them 23rd in the NFL in penalties. They are 14th in the National Football League in points scored with 274. They have run 719 plays this year for 4,382 yards, which ranks them 8th in the NFL in total offense. The Falcons average 6.1 yards per play, which is 4th in the league. As a team they have accumulated a total of 245 1st downs this season, ranking them 9th overall as an offensive unit. Matt Ryan has completed 260 throws while attempting 390 passes for a completion percentage of 66.7%. He has passed for 3,057 yards this year. He averages 11.8 yards per completion and 7.8 yards per pass attempt. His quarterback rating this season is 95.4.

Defensive Statistics

The Falcons rush defense has given up 314 attempts for 1,358 yards this season, putting them in 18th place in the NFL against the run. They have had 77 penalties for 675 yards on defense this year. That places them 15th in the league. They've allowed a score on 38% of possessions on defense, which is 25th in the NFL. Atlanta is 13th in the NFL in points surrendered on defense with 244. They have given up a total of 3,852 yards on D, which is 8th in the league. The Falcons are 9th in yards per play allowed with 5. Their pass defense has allowed 5.5 net yards per pass attempt, ranking them 5th in the National Football League. Opponent offenses have completed 274 throws on 421 attempts against the Atlanta Falcons defense this season, ranking them 25th and 23rd in the league. The Falcons pass defense has also surrendered a total of 2,494 yards in the air, which is 6th overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The Atlanta Falcons have tried 28 field goals this season and made 24, which is 12th in the league. Their kickers have a FG percentage of 85.7%. Atlanta kickers have made 100% of their extra points, going 28 for 28 this season. Their punters have accumulated 1,668 yards on 37 punts, averaging 45.1 yards per punt. That ranks them 18th in the NFL in punting average. Atlanta is 32nd in the NFL in punt returns with 16. They've totaled 130 punt return yards and are averaging 8.1 yards per return, which is 18th in the league. Their longest punt return this season is 27 yards. They have returned 31 kicks for 657 yards on special teams, placing them 4th in kick return yardage. The Falcons average 21.2 yards per kick return and have a long of 61 yards this season. They are 6th in the National Football League in all-purpose yards with 5,282.

Who will win tonight's Saints/Falcons NFL game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take the Saints -4

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