The early NFC South clash between the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons should set the tone for the two teams involved for the remainder of the upcoming NFL season. The Saints look to get a full season out of Drew Brees’ heir apparent Jameis Winston, while the Falcons begin their rebuilding campaign with hopes of making huge strides right off the bat.

Nitrobetting is ready to equip its bettors with the latest news, NFL odds, and special features for the entire duration of the 2022 NFL season. This time, let’s take a closer look at the upcoming Week 1 divisional showdown between the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons.

Saints vs. Falcons Game Information

Falcons Week ⚜️⚜️⚜️ pic.twitter.com/NnHHFNBRAY

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 5, 2022

• When: Sunday, September 11, 2022, 1:00 PM ET
• Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
• TV: FOX
• Radio: 870 WWL AM (Saints) // 92.9 FM The Game (Falcons)
• Live Stream: NFL Game Pass
• NFL Odds: Saints (-5.5) // Falcons (+5.5)

READ MORE: 49ers vs. Bears 2022 NFL Week 1 Odds, Preview & Pick

Why Bet on the New Orleans Saints?

The New Orleans Saints dealt with adversity relatively well last season considering that starting quarterback Jameis Winston played just seven games before suffering a season-ending knee injury. The team still went 9-8 in 2021 and would’ve made the playoffs if not for the San Francisco 49ers having a slightly better record than them by the final week of the regular season.

Winston has been criticized in the past as an interception magnet during his first five NFL seasons in Tampa Bay. However, the former first-overall pick and Heisman Trophy winner had a promising start in his first full season as New Orleans’ starting QB, throwing for 14 touchdowns to just three picks in seven starts before getting hurt. Dual-threat running back Alvin Kamara saw his production take a dip as well following Winston’s injury, but Kamara still finished with over 1,300 all-purpose yards and nine trips to the end zone (five receiving TDs).

The Saints’ defense remains a force to be reckoned with, as their stop unit ranked third in points surrendered (18.9 PAPG) and seventh in yards allowed per contest (318.2 YAPG). Stud defenders Cameron Jordan and Marshon Lattimore provide more star power for the Big Easy franchise looking to get off to a great start against a wounded division rival this Sunday.

Why Bet on the Atlanta Falcons?

The Atlanta Falcons’ own miserable 2021 campaign doesn’t compare to the lows that the Saints went through. Not only did aging franchise quarterback Matt Ryan show signs of regression at the age of 36 and the team’s defense was a sieve, but rising wide receiver Calvin Ridley was also suddenly suspended mid-season after investigations revealed that Ridley was betting on NFL games on the side.

In turn, the Falcons shipped former league MVP Ryan to the Colts to signal a full rebuild. However, they did not make huge moves in the offseason to acquire a new starting QB for the future, instead settling for backup Marcus Mariota from Tennessee as a stop-gap for their future plans at the position. Mariota’s attempted just 30 passes over the last two seasons as the backup to the Raiders’ Derek Carr.

There are still a few bright spots on Atlanta’s roster, though. Tight end Kyle Pitts, who was taken by the team with the fourth-overall pick in last year’s draft, had a terrific maiden NFL campaign with 68 catches for 1,026 receiving yards to earn him a deserving Pro Bowl nod. Incoming rookie wide receiver Drake London is also a fascinating talent to watch out for as the former USC standout was the first wideout selected at the draft with the Falcons’ eighth-overall pick as the apparent replacement for Ridley, who’s still stuck in the league’s limbo.

Saints vs. Falcons Betting Trends

• The Saints went 6-3 on the road last season (SU/ATS).
• The Saints are 7-2 in their last nine meetings against Atlanta (SU/ATS).
• The totals went under in five of the last seven contests between these two NFC South rivals.
• The Falcons went 2-6 at home in 2021 (1-7 ATS).
• The Falcons have lost six straight games as home dogs (1-5 ATS).
• The totals went under in four of the last five games played in Hot-lanta.

Saints vs. Falcons Expert Betting Predictions

We wouldn’t be surprised if the Falcons manage to pull off the Week 1 upset over the Saints considering that there’s always a feeling-out process at the very beginning of every NFL season. However, New Orleans has much more talent and winning experience than Atlanta’s current roster, which means that the former is still expected to cruise to a road victory over the latter, especially with the Saints having the edge at quarterback.

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*All stated odds are subject to change without prior notice.