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+5 -110 +5 -110  +5 -110

Posted at 11:00 AM EST and odds are subject to change.

Atlanta +5 over New Orleans

1:00 PM EST. There are many moving parts in this game. Both teams have new coaches. Both teams have new quarterback tandems at the helm. Both teams are coming off a disappointing season that saw them finish outside of the playoff picture.

Atlanta's stock coming into a season hasn't been this low in years. That provides early opportunity. In the preseason, new coach Arthur Smith and the Dirty Birds look like they’ve got some fire in their bellies. Maybe it’s the new coach, or maybe it’s a new locker room atmosphere after the departure of long-time pivot Matt Ryan. Market perception is that the Falcons are going to be the dregs in 2022, let's try and capitalize on that market perception.

First, the Falcons brought in former #2 overall pick Marcus Mariota, who spent the last two seasons playing backup to Derek Carr and the Raiders. Mariota was great in college and had some nice flashes while in Tennessee, but injuries and the signing of Ryan Tannehill ended his time in Nashville. Mariota has to be playing with a big chip on his shoulder and the Dirty Birds are playing with house money this season. Incidentally, Mariota's teammates love him and have confidence in him.

There are a lot of new faces joining Mariota in Atlanta, including rookie wide receiver Drake London, who will line up alongside breakout star Kyle Pitts. That’s not a bad twosome for the new pivot to work with. London has been called the next “Mike Evans” by some. Believe the hype. This kid is for real.

Forgive us but we just cannot get excited by these Jameis Winston lead Saints. We’re pretty sure that the newly recruited Andy Dalton will be under center soon enough. All it will take is one of Winston’s famous five interception days to have new coach Dennis Allen looking down the bench at the “Red Rifle”. New Orleans has been an NFL force for year and therefore market perception is off on them also. Recommendation: Atlanta +5½