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

The top two teams in the NFC South and two likely playoff teams will square off on Monday when the Atlanta Falcons travel to Louisiana to take on the New Orleans Saints. 

The Falcons enter the game 9-5, which has them in the No. 5 position in the NFC playoffs. Still, while they're in good position to make the playoffs, they've yet to clinch a spot.

The Saints are 10-3 have the NFC South clinched. They are tied with the 49ers for the No. 2 spot in the NFC, but the 49ers would hold the tiebreaker. 

This is a rematch from a Week 10 game in Atlanta, which the Saints won 26-23 in overtime.

Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana

When: Monday, Dec. 26 at 8:30 p.m. EST

Watch: ESPN

Spread

Saints (-7), according to Bodava.

I like this spread. The Saints are red hot and the Falcons aren't quite at the level of the elite teams in the league, which the Saints are. In New Orleans, a one-touchdown win is not hard to see. 

Over/Under

53, according to Bodava. 

Go over here. It wouldn't surprise me if the winning team actually got close to this on their own. These offenses are too good to not see a shootout here.

Key Injuries

Falcons CB Kelvin Hayden, T Will Svitek and LB Stephen Nicholas are questionable.

Falcons CB Brent Grimes is probable.

Saints DE Turk McBride, RB Mark Ingram and LB Jonathan Casillas are questionable.

Saints LB Jonathan Vilma, G Jahri Evans and DT Sedrick Ellis are probable.

Fantasy Big Plays

Julio Jones is starting in fewer than one-third of ESPN leagues. He's a great play. The Saints' defense is certainly prone to big plays in points. 

Lance Moore has caught at least one touchdown pass in three of his last four games. The way that Drew Brees is playing, any one of his receivers is a real threat. Brees is going to Moore a lot recently, and I wouldn't want to play against him.  

Keys to Falcons Win

Get a rush on Brees. If he has time, he'll find a receiver, even if there is good coverage. If Brees has time, this is going to be a long day for the Falcons.

Keys to Saints Win

Bring the constant pressure on defense. With their offense, the Saints know that they can get away with big plays. They are at their best when they're blitzing and attacking the ball. If they do that, they will make enough big plays to win this one. 

Prediction: Saints 34, Falcons 24

The Saints' offense is too good and Drew Brees is in his own world right now. Their defense will do what's needed to win.

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