New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons
TV: 8:20 p.m. ET Thursday, NBC
Records: Saints 9-2, Falcons 3-8
Line: Saints by 6½
Saints’ keys: They need to convert third downs if they want to avoid being upset by the Falcons again. They made good on only 3 of 12 third downs as the Falcons’ dominated them 26-9 in Week 10. By controlling the clock, the Saints can keep QB Matt Ryan and the Falcons’ offense off the field.
Falcons’ keys: Atlanta’s defensive line must get after Saints QB Drew Brees the way it did in Week 10, when the Falcons sacked him six times. Offensively, the Falcons should use the short passing game to compensate for their lack of a rushing attack.
Who wins? The Falcons are better than their record would indicate, but the Saints are a better football team. Expect New Orleans to squeeze out a close win at the finish. Saints 20, Falcons 17
— Matt Urben
Lines by BetMGM.com
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