FALCONS at SAINTS
Take: OVER 54
Rivalry time tonight on the NFL gridiron as the Falcons and Saints get together at the Superdome. The early season data certainly indicates a high scoring game that could go either way.
The Falcons have not been very good at getting their defense off the field. Atlanta has forced only four three and outs in two games. The Saints weren’t able to generate many points last week against the Giants. But that was on the road and we all know it’s at home where QB Drew Brees becomes unstoppable for the Saints. Considering the difficulty the Falcons stop unit has displayed early on, I’ll be very surprised if New Orleans doesn’t have its share of productive drives this evening.
As for the Atlanta attack, we’re starting to see more no-huddle offense, and that’s apparently much to the delight of the players. QB Matt Ryan and superstar wideout Julio Jones have made it clear this is the style of play they favor. Offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan still hasn’t totally committed to the fast break on a full-time basis, but it makes a great deal of sense against a shaky defense like the Falcons will be seeing tonight, and I would be shocked if we don’t see no-huddle at least one third of the time, and hopefully even more than that.
Neither team has been able to exhibit much of a pass rush, and both Ryan and Brees are lethal when given time to go through their progressions and zero in on open targets. I don’t think there’s much debate that these two teams are at their best when the offenses are clicking, and I just can’t see wither defense being especially effective tonight.
Obviously, none of this is lost on the oddsmakers and the O/U on tonight’s clash is clearly on the high side. So I can’t really offer that there’s any particular value on this play. But I expect the shootout to take place and won’t be even remotely surprised if we get a game with both teams getting close to or even beyond 30 points. I’ll play the Falcons and Saints to go Over the Total.
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