New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons Week 3 NFL Picks & Predictions 9/23/2018

Sunday, September 23, 2018

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Get todays NFL Odds & Lines on this game

The New Orleans Saints head to Mercedes-Benz Stadium to play the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, September 23, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Atlanta as 4 point favorites. The total has been set at 54.5.

The Saints are 0-2-0 against the spread and their over/under record is 1-1-0. The Falcons are 1-1-0 against the spread and their over/under mark is 1-1-0.

Valuable New Orleans Saints Betting Trends

The New Orleans Saints are 1-1-0 against the over/under

The New Orleans Saints are 0-2-0 against the spread

Important Atlanta Falcons Betting Trends

The Atlanta Falcons are 1-1-0 against the over/under

The Atlanta Falcons are 1-1-0 against the spread

Key New Orleans Saints Injuries

09/16/18 WR Tommylee Lewis Knee injured last game, is questionable Sunday vs Atlanta
09/16/18 DT Tyeler Davison Foot is questionable Sunday vs Atlanta
09/04/18 TE Michael Hoomanawanui Neck IR
09/04/18 DB Rickey Jefferson Knee IR
09/04/18 RB Shane Vereen Finger IR
09/04/18 WR Travin Dural Arm IR
05/21/18 RB Mark Ingram Suspension 4-game suspension (eligible to return 10/08 vs Washington)

Key Atlanta Falcons Injuries

09/16/18 G Ben Garland Calf is questionable Sunday vs New Orleans
09/16/18 DE Derrick Shelby Groin injured last game, is questionable Sunday vs New Orleans
09/16/18 RB Devonta Freeman Knee is OUT 2-3 weeks
09/16/18 CB Isaiah Oliver Ankle is questionable Sunday vs New Orleans
09/16/18 WR Russell Gage Knee is questionable Sunday vs New Orleans
09/11/18 LB Deion Jones Foot IR
09/09/18 S Keanu Neal ACL IR

Useful Offensive Statistics

The New Orleans Saints are 4th in the National Football League in points scored with 61. They have run 120 plays this year for 750 yards, which ranks them 2nd in the NFL in total offense. The Saints average 6.3 yards per play, which is 1st in the league. As a team they have accumulated a total of 44 1st downs this season, ranking them 8th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground New Orleans has run for 105 yards as a unit, which ranks 5th in the league. They've run 36 times, averaging 2.9 yards per rush as a unit. The Saints have been penalized on offense 12 times for 130 yards so far this year, which has them 17th in the NFL in penalties. Drew Brees has passed for 682 yards this year. He's completed 65 throws while attempting 80 passes for a completion percentage of 81.3%. His quarterback rating this season is 123. He averages 10.5 yards per completion and 8.5 yards per pass attempt.

Defensive Statistics

New Orleans is 10th in the NFL in points surrendered on defense with 66. They have given up a total of 856 yards on D, which is 17th in the league. The Saints are 23rd in yards per play allowed with 7. Their pass defense has allowed 10.7 net yards per pass attempt, ranking them 16th in the National Football League. Opponent offenses have completed 43 throws on 58 attempts against the New Orleans Saints defense this season, ranking them 13th and 17th in the league. The New Orleans pass defense has also surrendered a total of 651 yards in the air, which is 15th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense has given up 61 attempts for 205 yards this season, putting them in 16th place in the NFL against the run. The Saints have had 11 penalties for 113 yards on defense this year. That places them 7th in the league. They've allowed a score on 47.8% of possessions on defense, which is 16th in the NFL.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Atlanta Falcons have run for 244 yards as a team, which ranks 13th in the NFL. They've run 50 times, averaging 4.9 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Falcons have been penalized on offense 17 times for 161 yards so far this season, which has them 20th in the league in penalties. They are 15th in the NFL in points scored with 43. They have run 125 plays this season for 741 yards, which ranks them 8th in the league in total offense. The Falcons average 5.9 yards per play, which is 5th in the National Football League. As a team they have accumulated a total of 39 1st downs this year, placing them 9th overall as an offensive unit. Matt Ryan averages 7.4 yards per pass attempt and 11.9 yards per completion. He has completed 44 passes on 71 attempts for a completion percentage of 62%. His quarterback rating is 82.1. He has thrown for 523 yards this season.

Defensive Statistics

The Falcons rush defense has allowed 45 attempts for 234 yards this year, putting them in 9th place in the league against the run. Atlanta has committed 18 penalties for 150 yards on the defensive side of the ball this season. That ranks them 13th in the NFL. They've given up a score on 31.8% of possessions on defense, which is 21st in the league. They are 8th in the league in points allowed on defense with 42. They have surrendered a total of 671 yards on D, which is 9th in the NFL. The Atlanta Falcons are ranked 13th in yards per play allowed with 5.2. Their pass defense has given up 5.2 net yards per pass attempt, placing them 10th in the league as a unit. Opposing offenses have completed 52 passes on 80 attempts against the Atlanta defense this season, placing them 25th and 16th in the National Football League. The Falcons pass defense has also given up a total of 437 yards through the air, which is 12th overall in total pass defense.

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

Guy's Pick: Take the Falcons -4

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