New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons Showdown: Who Will Win this Matchup?

Week 4 Preview: Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints with Betting Insights

The Week 4 matchup between the Falcons and the Saints promises to be a classic NFC South showdown. Whenever these two teams face off, the unexpected becomes the norm. Historically, games between the Falcons and Saints can swing wildly, from defensive battles to high-scoring affairs. As we head into this game, Atlanta looks to continue building momentum, while New Orleans is trying to figure out its identity after an inconsistent start to the season.

Atlanta Falcons: Bijan Robinson and Drake London Lead the Way

The Falcons come into Week 4 with a sense of urgency, but there’s optimism surrounding their young offense. Rookie sensation Robinson has quickly established himself as a must-start in fantasy football, and he’ll be a focal point against a Saints defense that has been vulnerable at times. Robinson’s ability to make plays in both the running and passing game makes him a versatile weapon and one of the key reasons the Falcons have a good chance of coming out on top in this matchup.

London is another player to watch closely. After a slow start to the season, London has shown flashes of the playmaker he can be. With a solid rapport developing with quarterback Kirk Cousins, London could be in for a productive outing, especially if the Saints’ defense is forced to key in on Robinson.

Betting Tip: Bet on Bijan Robinson’s rushing and receiving yards prop. Robinson has been a consistent producer, and with the Saints likely to focus on slowing him down, Robinson’s versatility will allow him to still rack up yardage. His combined rushing and receiving total is a solid play.

Falcons’ Passing Game: A Mixed Bag

The Falcons’ passing attack has been inconsistent, but there are signs of improvement. Cousins is slowly finding his footing, and while tight end Kyle Pitts has been a disappointment this season, wide receiver London has started to gain momentum. Pitts, once a high-fantasy draft pick, has yet to live up to his potential and has become a risky fantasy start. While London is on the rise, Pitts seems to be a player to fade for now.

If Atlanta can get their passing game going, they could give the Saints trouble, especially with the versatility of London and Robinson in the receiving game.

Betting Tip: Fade Kyle Pitts in fantasy. Until Pitts shows more consistency in this offense, it’s hard to trust him. He’s a risky play, and there are better tight-end options available. If you’re playing DFS, it’s safer to stay away from Pitts.

New Orleans Saints: Will the Real Team Stand Up?

The Saints have been a mystery through the first three weeks of the season. After a dominant start, they fell flat last week against a beatable Philadelphia Eagles defense. Derek Carr has been solid, but not spectacular, and the Saints have leaned heavily on deep shots to wide receiver Rashid Shaheed to generate big plays.

Shaheed has been an all-or-nothing type of player. He’s capable of making game-changing plays but is dependent on those deep balls from Carr. Last week, he was largely shut down by the Eagles’ secondary, and with Chris Olave dealing with an injury, the Saints’ passing game could be even more limited.

Betting Tip: Bet on Rashid Shaheed’s longest reception prop. Shaheed is a boom-or-bust player, but Carr loves to take deep shots to him. If you’re betting, taking Shaheed’s longest reception over could pay off, especially if the Falcons’ secondary allows a breakdown.

Saints’ Offense: The Olave Factor

Olave’s injury status will have a huge impact on the Saints’ offense this week. If Olave is unable to play, the Saints will be heavily reliant on Shaheed to carry the passing game. 

Without Olave, the Saints will likely turn to their run game, featuring Alvin Kamara. While Kamara hasn’t been his dominant self in recent seasons, his ability to make plays in the passing game could be crucial for the Saints in keeping the Falcons’ defense on its heels.

Betting Tip: Take the under on total points if Olave is out. If Olave doesn’t play, the Saints’ offense will be more limited, and the Falcons’ defense could find success in slowing down New Orleans. The game may turn into a more methodical, lower-scoring contest, making the under a smart bet.

Revenge Game: Atlanta’s Extra Motivation?

There’s some added intrigue surrounding this game due to reports that the Falcons view this as a “revenge game.” Last season, the Saints allegedly ran up the score in a meaningless win, with Jameis Winston running in a late touchdown. This has stuck with Atlanta’s players and could provide extra motivation as they look to secure a victory at home.

If the Falcons are looking to make a statement, expect them to come out aggressive, especially with their offense hitting its stride.

Betting Tip: Bet on the Falcons to cover the spread. With the Saints struggling to find consistency and the Falcons playing at home with extra motivation, Atlanta is the team to back in this matchup. They’ve been the more reliable team, and with Bijan Robinson leading the way, they should be able to win this one outright or at least cover the spread.

Conclusion: Falcons Have the Edge at Home

This Week 4 matchup between the Falcons and Saints promises to be another intense NFC South battle. While both teams have questions to answer, the Falcons seem to be the more complete team, especially with the Saints dealing with injuries and offensive inconsistencies.

From a betting perspective, Robinson is a great prop bet, and the Falcons’ motivation to get revenge for last year’s loss makes them the smart pick to cover the spread. If Olave doesn’t play, expect a lower-scoring game with fewer explosive plays from the Saints. For fantasy football, players like London and Shaheed have high upside, but Pitts should remain on the bench until he proves otherwise.

Final Score Prediction: Falcons 27, Saints 20

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