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Stephen Nover | NFL SideThu, 11/29/12 - 8:20 PM
The Falcons are the right play for many reasons not just being the home Thursday team and having a revenge angle. They are a far better team than the Saints, who have only outgained their opponents twice all season.
The Falcons' defense is of the bend-don't-break variety, but it still ranks light years ahead of the Saints' terrible defense. New Orleans ranks among the three worst defensive teams in both passing yardage and rushing yardage. The Saints can't stop the run, which is going to make Matt Ryan even more effective off play-action.
The Saints can only stay with high-octane offenses by scoring a lot of points. Drew Brees, however, isn't as dominant on the road as he is in the Louisiana Superdome. New Orleans also has a cluster injury problem in its offensive line. The Saints just lost right tackle Bryce Harris for the season with a broken leg. They also have two other offensive linemen injuªred so there's a distinct possibility they could be starting a fourth-stringer at tackle.
Then there's the situational element. The Falcons are thirsting for revenge. They want to show off on national TV against their long-time hated Southern rival. The Saints are down mentally having lost at home to the 49ers this past Sunday in a must win spot. It's very tough for them to travel and play on Thursday after taking on the punishing 49ers
triple-dime bet
302 ATL -3.0 (-130) Bookmaker.com vs 301 NOSAnalysis: Forget that the Saints have beaten Atlanta in 11 of the past 13 meetings, including edging the Falcons, 31-27, in Week 10 thanks to a late goal line stand. The Falcons are the right play for many reasons not just being the home Thursday team and having a revenge angle. They are a far better team than the Saints, who have only outgained their opponents twice all season.
The Falcons' defense is of the bend-don't-break variety, but it still ranks light years ahead of the Saints' terrible defense. New Orleans ranks among the three worst defensive teams in both passing yardage and rushing yardage. The Saints can't stop the run, which is going to make Matt Ryan even more effective off play-action.
The Saints can only stay with high-octane offenses by scoring a lot of points. Drew Brees, however, isn't as dominant on the road as he is in the Louisiana Superdome. New Orleans also has a cluster injury problem in its offensive line. The Saints just lost right tackle Bryce Harris for the season with a broken leg. They also have two other offensive linemen injuªred so there's a distinct possibility they could be starting a fourth-stringer at tackle.
Then there's the situational element. The Falcons are thirsting for revenge. They want to show off on national TV against their long-time hated Southern rival. The Saints are down mentally having lost at home to the 49ers this past Sunday in a must win spot. It's very tough for them to travel and play on Thursday after taking on the punishing 49ers
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