CSC Staff takes the over in #NOvsATL

We’re just hours away from the New Orleans Saints kicking off against the Atlanta Falcons to cap off #FalconsHateWeek, and the staff here at Canal Street Chronicles are expecting a win. Vegas has set the betting odds in New Orleans’ favor with a 53-point spread, evidently expecting a shootout. It makes sense considering the Saints offense has averaged 27.6 points-per-game on the road while the Falcons have managed 23 points-per-game while playing hosts. Our rivals over at the Falcoholic are hopeful for a win, while our own staff are expecting the Saints to get back into a winning streak.

Christopher Dunnells: Saints 35, Falcons 27

Both offenses play well against the weaknesses of the opponent. Atlanta struggles containing running backs both catching passes and rushing the ball, so I expect big games from both Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara. Likewise, it's likely Lattimore is less than 100%, and even with a healthy Ken Crawley, the Falcons have too many offensive playmakers (Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu, Taylor Gabriel, Tevin Coleman to name a few), meaning there will be times when linebackers or safeties will be mismatched in man coverage. So I see this being one of the highest-scoring (on offense, not special teams or defensive scoring like against the Detroit Lions) games from the Saints this year.

Bob Rose: Saints 35, Falcons 27

Drew Brees has had some great games against Atlanta, the Falcons are only 3-3 at home this season and I think that the Saints are far more balanced on each side of the ball. You should absolutely check out Bob’s in-depth preview of the key matchups in tonight’s game by following this link.

Ellias J. Williams: Saints 21, Falcons 17

I thought a closer game but a high-scoring affair makes sense with one of the defenses making enough plays to secure a win. Like Bob, Ellias took a deeper dive into how the Saints can game-plan to control the pace of the game and win with a little luck on defense or special teams; you can find his thoughts on the game in this article.

John Sigler: Saints 33, Falcons 24

Both teams are missing a starting offensive lineman (Andrus Peat for the Saints, Andy Levitre for the Falcons) and seeing All-Pro level cornerbacks return from injuries (Marshon Lattimore’s ankle and Desmond Trufant’s concussion). I anticipate Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram out-dueling Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman, while neither passing attack is able to get going with Lattimore and Trufant in the game and limiting what Julio Jones and Michael Thomas are able to do. But the Saints should be able to make enough plays on third down (will the real Willie Snead please run a curl route) to keep Matt Ryan off the field, pulling away late in the game.

What are you predicting the final score to look like on Thursday Night Football?