New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons Prediction & Betting Tips - NFL

Prediction published on 06/01/2024, 12:29  by Joseph King | Modified on 06/01/2024 at 12:35 in NFL Predictions

The final week of the NFL season sees the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons facing off with a possible spot in the playoffs on the line. The Saints sit second in the NFC South despite having an identical 8-8 record as the first-place Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A win in this game paired with the 2-14 Panthers beating the Bucs would see the Saints be crowned division champions. The Falcons, at 7-9, can still sneak the NFC South title as well should they win this game. However, they will also need the Bucs to lose to the Panthers. 

New Orleans comes into this season-defining game off the back of a 23-13 win over the Buccaneers last Sunday to keep their postseason hopes alive. The victory was the Saints’ third in the last four weeks as they’ve battled back from a 5-7 record after week 13. Their defense in particular has really stepped it up as they have allowed just 11.8 points per game over their last four. This includes two consecutive games where they held their opponents to just six points. As for the Falcons, they have put themselves in a precarious position with some poor performances down the stretch. Atlanta was 6-6 after week 13 but have managed just a single win in their last four appearances. A heavy 37-17 loss to the Chicago Bears was the latest loss for the Dirty Birds. 

Despite running back Alvin Kamara being a game-time decision, quarterback Derek Carr is in a fine run of form with eight touchdowns and only one interception in his last three appearances. With the 12th-most passing yards per game in the NFL (234) compared to the 22nd-raked Falcons’ (200.8), the Saints have a notable advantage in the passing game. Atlanta quarterback Taylor Heinicke is listed as questionable for this game and his coming off his worst game of the season. The 30-year-old went just 10/29 with 163 passing yards and three interceptions.