New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons: Spread Info, Line and Predictions

If the New Orleans Saints are able to take down the Atlanta Falcons this week, they'll be on the fast track to winning the NFC South handedly and securing a home game in the playoffs.

If they fail to do so, the division will be blown wide open once again and their playoff lives will be in jeopardy.

The Saints have lost three games on the road already this season. Only the Packers have taken down the Falcons at home this year and with so much at stake, don't expect the Falcons to roll over and hand the Saints a victory.

Let's take a closer look to see how this game will shake out.

Where: Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA

When: 1:00 p.m. ET on Nov. 13, 2011

Watch: FOX

Spread: New Orleans -1, according to Bodog

Go with the Falcons. New Orleans is so inconsistent on the road, it's impossible to have faith in them regardless of who they play. Their double-digit deficit loss to the Rams is indicative of just how vulnerable they are away from the comfort of their own home.

Over/Under: 50, according to Bodog

Go with the over. The Saints rank second in the league in scoring offense, cranking out 31.9 PPG. Their high-octane pass offense is going to put the pressure on the Falcons. Atlanta has one of the most complete offenses in the NFL and their ability to run the ball to stay ahead or throw it to come from behind makes the over easily attainable in this matchup.

Key Injuries (Via NFL.com)

New Orleans Saints

Jermon Bushrod	T	Stomach	Full Participation in Practice	--
Turk McBride	DE	Ankle	Did Not Participate In Practice	Out
Jonathan Vilma	LB	Knee	Did Not Participate In Practice	Out
Lance Moore	WR	Hamstring	Did Not Participate In Practice	Questionable
Patrick Robinson	CB	Stomach	Did Not Participate In Practice	Questionable
Chris Ivory	RB	Hamstring	Limited Participation in Practice	Questionable
John Gilmore	TE	Neck	Limited Participation in Practice	Probable
Mark Ingram	RB	Heel	Limited Participation in Practice	Probable
Tracy Porter	CB	Neck	Limited Participation in Practice	Probable
Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images Atlanta Falcons
Sam Baker	T	Back	Did Not Participate In Practice	Out
William Moore	S	Quadricep	Did Not Participate In Practice	Doubtful
John Abraham	DE	Not Injury Related	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Todd McClure	C	Not Injury Related	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Ray Edwards	DE	Knee	Limited Participation in Practice	Probable
Tony Gonzalez	TE	Back	Limited Participation in Practice	Probable
Brent Grimes	CB	Knee	Limited Participation in Practice	Probable
Julio Jones	WR	Hamstring	Limited Participation in Practice	Probable
Corey Peters	DT	Knee	Limited Participation in Practice	Probable

Fantasy Big Plays:

Julio Jones may be banged up, but if he's able to go, he's a must start. He returned from injury in epic fashion last week, scoring two touchdowns and racking up 131 yards receiving. With only three catches, he put his ability to be the explosive game changer they expected him to be.

Jimmy Graham has gone ice cold, failing to rack up more than 100 yards in any of his last three games, after doing so in each of the four games preceding his drought. Not-so coincidentally, his cold streak started when Sean Payton sustained the knee injury that landed him in the booth. Don't give up on Graham yet. Expect him to rebound this week and get back on track for the second half of the season.

Keys to Saints Win:

Stack the box. It's easy to get distracted by Roddy White and Julio Jones streaking down the field, but Michael Turner is the best player on the Falcons. Allowing him to break loose will spell defeat for the Saints.

Put the pressure on the Falcons. The Falcons are most comfortable when they have their entire playbook at their disposal. Driving up the score with Brees and turning this into a shootout dumbs down Turner's impact on the game.

Keys to Falcons Win:

Feed Michael Turner. He's touched the ball 19 or more times five times this season. Each of those games resulted in a win, while the other two were the Falcons' only losses of the season.

Attack Drew Brees. They don't have to send the house and try to handle the Saints' wide receivers with four defensive backs. The Falcons have been relatively quiet this season on the pressure front, forcing just 15 sacks all season. Allowing Brees to fall into a rhythm is the worst case scenario for Atlanta.

Prediction

Atlanta Falcons 31, New Orleans Saints 27