Atlanta Falcons Vs New Orleans Saints Predictions, Picks, Odds, And Betting Preview – NFL Week 12 – November 22 2018

The last time the 4-6 Atlanta Falcons and the 9-1 New Orleans Saints shared the same field, it was a like an offensive clinic being thought by both teams. Will it be another high-scoring affair between these two prolific ball clubs? The sportsbook favors the Saints by double digits (13-points at press) going into this Thanksgiving matchup. There may be some opportunity for bettors here as this writer thinks the spread is a bit big and the ‘book may come out looking like a turkey for those who wager accordingly. Read on for a preview of this marquee matchup below.

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Historical Performances on Thanksgiving

Both the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints have storied histories playing on Thanksgiving. The Falcons last played on Thanksgiving in 2007. Their performances over the years have varied.

Meanwhile, the Saints have been featured in several marquee Thanksgiving games. They often display strong offensive performances. Their most recent Thanksgiving game was against the Falcons in 2019, where they secured a win with solid defense and an effective offense.

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Betting Preview for the Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints NFL Week 12 Game on November 22, 2018

Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans

When: Thursday, November 22, 2018, 8:20 PM ET

Line: Atlanta Falcons (+13) vs New Orleans Saints (-13) – view all 2018 NFL lines

TV Broadcast: NBC

Betting on the Atlanta Falcons (4-6)

Atlanta is on a tailspin again. Just when the Falcons were starting to look as though they were figuring things out when they were still on a three-game unbeaten run, they followed that up with two-straight losses, a stretch that includes their 22-19 home loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. The Falcons entered the fourth quarter of that game ahead by three points, but got outscored in the final period, 16-10. The Falcons are still a talented team capable of beating top-tier teams, but they need to learn how to close out games. Their loss to Dallas was the third time this season in which Atlanta had their fate decided on the last second. Their won’t be last second losses – nor wins – though for Atlanta this Thursday if they can’t play at the highest level at all times against a very dangerous New Orleans team. That said, the Falcons made Drew Brees and company sweat bullets before ultimately crumbling. Matt Ryan passed for 374 yards and five touchdowns with zero interceptions in that game.

The Falcons, who are averaging 26.3 points per game this season, are 3-2 SU in their last five meetings with New Orleans.

Key Matchup: Drew Brees vs. Matt Ryan

The clash between Drew Brees and Matt Ryan promises fireworks. Brees, known for his precision and leadership, is having a great season with a high completion rate.

Matt Ryan matches that with his ability to rack up passing yards and connect with his trusted receiving corps. When these two quarterbacks face off, expect a battle of wits. Each can swing the game in their team’s favor with a few key plays.

Betting on the New Orleans Saints (9-1)

The Saints are terrifying, and they become scarier each passing week. Since losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers way back in Week 1, the Saints have gone on to stitch together nine wins in a row. Their offense has been especially deadly. After their 48-7 annihilation of a win against the Philadelphia Eagles at home last Sunday, the Saints have now averaged 48 points over their last three games. Everything clicked for the Saints in the Philly game, with Brees going 22-of-30 for 363 passing yards and four touchdowns with zero picks thrown. Running back Mark Ingram had 103 of the Saints’ 173 rushing yards while also scoring two touchdowns. Four different receivers scored touchdown grabs for the Saints, who also did not record a single turnover. The Saints are blending volume and efficiency to their opponents’ chagrin. They are tops in the league with 37.8 points per game, third in total yards with 427.1 per contest, and second with .570 points per play. Atlanta’s defense remains problematic, so expect Brees and company to have a field day on offense in the rematch.

The Saints are 3-0 ATS in their last three home games.

Defensive Concerns and Strategies

The Falcons’ defense has struggled to contain high-powered offenses. They rank low in yards allowed per game. They need to disrupt Brees’ rhythm, possibly by increasing blitz packages or using more man coverage.

The Saints, on the other hand, need to address issues in their secondary. They must contain explosive plays from Matt Ryan and force the Falcons to rely on their running game. This is where New Orleans has shown more defensive strength.

Writer’s Prediction

New Orleans wins, 34-28.

Betting Trends and Insights

Recent betting trends show the Saints as strong favorites. They've covered the spread in several straight games. The over has hit often in Saints games, reflecting their offensive power.

Meanwhile, the Falcons have been inconsistent against the spread. This makes their games risky but potentially rewarding for underdog bettors. Keeping these trends in mind can guide betting strategies, especially if you're looking for value or expect a high-scoring shootout.