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https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...picks-from-expert-whos-10-2-on-falcons-games/
Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints
by CBS Sports Staff
The Atlanta Falcons host the New Orleans Saints on "Thursday Night Football" to open Week 14 of the NFL season. The Falcons are favored by 2.5 in a game that's seen plenty of odds movement. The line opened at Falcons -2 and swung all the way to Saints -1.5. Then, in a flurry on Thursday, the line moved back to Atlanta -2.5.
The Over-Under, or total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, has also seen plenty of movement. It's a robust 51.5, down 3.5 from where it opened.
Rookie running back Alvin Kamara has scored in six straight and is third among running backs in receptions with 59, behind only Le'Veon Bell (66) and Christian McCaffrey (64). Kamara and Mark Ingram form a dynamic 1-2 punch out of the backfield.
Ingram is nursing a toe injury, but is expected to play on Thursday Night Football. SportsLine's advanced computer model says Kamara and Ingram will combine for almost 200 total yards from scrimmage against a Falcons defense that's ranked in the bottom half of the league against the run.
And defensively, the Saints could get back rookie corner Marshon Lattimore (ankle), bolstering a defense that's No. 12 in scoring (20.3 ppg) and No. 11 against the pass (217.3 ypg).
But just because the Saints have been on fire doesn't mean they cover on the road in a divisional game on a short week.
The Falcons have won three of their past four games and put up at least 27 points in all three victories. Quarterback Matt Ryan has thrown for multiple scores in four of his past six outings.
SportsLine's model says Ryan will continue to roll in prime time, putting up almost 300 yards and two touchdowns. WR Julio Jones has a high probability of finding the end zone this week after a 2-24 clunker last Sunday against Xavier Rhodes and the Vikings.
And, like the Saints, the Falcons could also get defensive reinforcements. Top corner Desmond Trufant has been cleared from his concussion and will play for Atlanta on Thursday night.
The Falcons badly need a win against the Saints, who hold a two-game lead on Atlanta in the NFC South. These two teams meet twice in the next three weeks.
Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints
by CBS Sports Staff
The Atlanta Falcons host the New Orleans Saints on "Thursday Night Football" to open Week 14 of the NFL season. The Falcons are favored by 2.5 in a game that's seen plenty of odds movement. The line opened at Falcons -2 and swung all the way to Saints -1.5. Then, in a flurry on Thursday, the line moved back to Atlanta -2.5.
The Over-Under, or total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, has also seen plenty of movement. It's a robust 51.5, down 3.5 from where it opened.
Rookie running back Alvin Kamara has scored in six straight and is third among running backs in receptions with 59, behind only Le'Veon Bell (66) and Christian McCaffrey (64). Kamara and Mark Ingram form a dynamic 1-2 punch out of the backfield.
Ingram is nursing a toe injury, but is expected to play on Thursday Night Football. SportsLine's advanced computer model says Kamara and Ingram will combine for almost 200 total yards from scrimmage against a Falcons defense that's ranked in the bottom half of the league against the run.
And defensively, the Saints could get back rookie corner Marshon Lattimore (ankle), bolstering a defense that's No. 12 in scoring (20.3 ppg) and No. 11 against the pass (217.3 ypg).
But just because the Saints have been on fire doesn't mean they cover on the road in a divisional game on a short week.
The Falcons have won three of their past four games and put up at least 27 points in all three victories. Quarterback Matt Ryan has thrown for multiple scores in four of his past six outings.
SportsLine's model says Ryan will continue to roll in prime time, putting up almost 300 yards and two touchdowns. WR Julio Jones has a high probability of finding the end zone this week after a 2-24 clunker last Sunday against Xavier Rhodes and the Vikings.
And, like the Saints, the Falcons could also get defensive reinforcements. Top corner Desmond Trufant has been cleared from his concussion and will play for Atlanta on Thursday night.
The Falcons badly need a win against the Saints, who hold a two-game lead on Atlanta in the NFC South. These two teams meet twice in the next three weeks.
