Falcons 10 1/2 Point Dogs As New Orleans Saints Come Marching In

NFL News - December 8th, 2009 - Written by John

The New Orleans Saints have quickly learned how beautifully fortunes can change in the NFL. The Atlanta Falcons have learned the reverse is just as true.

The once beleaguered Saints are now the cream of the conference, and are favored on Bodog Sportsbook by 10 1/2 over the Falcons, who went 11-5 and won the division a year ago. The NFL Week 14 Betting Odds show that the over/under is set at a total of 52 1/2 points. The last four meetings have gone over with the winning team scoring at least 29 points.

Despite a record year by Drew Brees, New Orleans failed to reach the playoffs with an 8-8 record. He set career marks with 5,069 yards and 34 touchdowns, but a porous defense that was middling at best.

That has since changed. The acquisition of Darren Sharper has turned out to be a revelation, and the 34-year old safety leads the league with eight interceptions and the team has the NFC's second-best turnover differential.

Another brilliant season has Brees in the middle of MVP talk, winning each of his team's first 12 games, and can clinch home field advantage throughout the playoffs with two more wins. He has 3,536 yards and 29 touchdowns, and is the highest-rated passer in the league. Four receivers have at least 500 yards, and both Robert Meachem and Marques Colston have eight touchdown grabs.

The Saints have the league's highest-scoring offense, averaging out at just under 37 points per game, and have played the over in 10 of their last 11 games. They are 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 road games, and have dominated it's recent history with the Falcons. New Orleans has won six of the last seven, including a season-split a year ago

They have quickly become the media darlings, a spot that was previously held by Atlanta when they went from four wins in 2007 to 11 a year ago. Quarterback Matt Ryan won Rookie of The Year and head coach Mike Smith was tabbed as the league's top coach. But that seems like a distant memory as of late, and the Falcons have lost three of their last four, including a 34-7 blowout by the Philadelphia Eagles last Sunday. Star tailback Michael Turner has had a flat tire for about three weeks, and his backups have been only serviceable in his place.

He still leads the team with 864 yards and 10 touchdowns, but he sat out two weeks ago and was limited in a win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He is questionable for this Sunday.

The Falcons also have a premier deep threat in Roddy White, who has 874 yards and eight touchdowns. Tight end Tony Gonzalez is right behind him with 738 yards and five scores.