Atlanta @ New Orleans: Saints are top value to upset the Falcons

Luca Bercelli
09 November 2012

Drew Brees - the man who can 'throw the ball through a doughnut hole'

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Two master quarterbacks face off on Sunday when the Saints host the Falcons and, with Drew Brees in majestic form, Luca Bercelli thinks New Orleans could inflict a first defeat on Atlanta

"The distracting effect of potential running plays should open up even more passing lanes for Drew Brees and Matt Ryan."

Over 53.5 Total Points @ 2.01/1

The unbeaten Falcons take on the Saints twice in the space of four weeks starting this Sunday and it's not inconceivable that both games could produce a combined points total of over 100.

These two potent offences both discovered a running game last week and although they might wind the clock down a bit quicker, the distracting effect of potential running plays should open up even more passing lanes for Drew Brees and Matt Ryan.

The Human Bowling Ball otherwise known as Michael Turner is Atlanta's rushing weapon. A revitalised running back, he's already rumbled for over 100 yards in three games this season. If he gets any success against the Saints (and he should with their habit of missing tackles), Ryan will be free to launch bombs at his leisure.

New Orleans' running game stepped up to the plate versus Philadelphia last week where the three-pronged attack of Chris Ivory, Mark Ingram and Pierre Thomas mixed and matched to great effect, allowing Brees to put on another masterclass.

Not that the inspirational QB wasn't harried and pressured in the pocket - he very much was -but he showed what supreme poise he has, evading tackle after tackle like some sort of greased-up eel. When you add this skill to his legendary ability, as one commentator put it, to 'throw the ball through a doughnut hole', most teams find him virtually unplayable.

Inevitably Atlanta have had to deflect speculation surrounding the possibility of a perfect season, but conversely they've also been criticised for having mainly beaten soft opposition.
They won't care who they play or how convincingly they win, but they might be relieved of the burden of dealing with the first line of questioning after Sunday since I give the Saints a fighting chance of victory.

A high scoring game is likely so over 53.5 total points @ 2.01/1 comes into play, but 2.26/5 on the moneyline should have you scrambling for the back button along with the handicap win (+ 2.5 pts) @ 1.981/1 and the ever dangerous Jimmy Graham to be first touchdown scorer @ 8.07/1