Saints eager to march over Falcons
One of the NFL’s better rivalries has plenty riding on its latest installment.
Saints-Falcons tonight also is one of the better midweek matchups on this year’s schedule.
New Orleans leads the NFC South at 9-3, one game in front of Carolina, which the Saints have swept, and two games in front of Atlanta, which gets two shots in three weeks at the Big Easy’s team. Considering that the Saints are 3-0 in the division, they truly are in charge in the division.
“We have to turn the page fast to get to New Orleans,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. “We’re right back into our division. It’s all there for us, we know that.”
New Orleans is a one-point choice over Atlanta. The Falcons badly need this one, but they’ve struggled in their spanking new Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Atlanta’s playoff chances take another hit. SAINTS, 28-24 SEATTLE (plus 3) at JACKSONVILLE Russell Wilson is making pitch for MVP award. SEAHAWKS, 24-23 BALTIMORE (plus 7)
at PITTSBURGH Another test Steelers will barely pass. STEELERS, 17-13 PHILADELPHIA (plus 2 ⁄ )
at L.A. RAMS After loss in Seattle, Philly fans getting antsy. Calm down. EAGLES, 27-24 MINNESOTA (minus 3)
at CAROLINA Vikings’ win here establishes them as NFC’s best. Sorry ... PANTHERS, 20-16 OAKLAND (plus 4) at KANSAS CITY AFC West mess starts getting settled. CHIEFS, 22-20 WASHINGTON (plus 6)
at L.A. CHARGERS Chargers do their part in AFC West. CHARGERS, 30-20 GREEN BAY (minus 3 ⁄ )
at CLEVELAND Oddsmakers tempting us with this line. We’ll bite. PACKERS, 23-11 SAN FRANCISCO (plus 3)
at HOUSTON Niners fans getting geeked by Garoppolo. But we like Houston here. TEXANS, 20-13 N.Y. JETS (pick-em) at DENVER This line shows how far Broncos have fallen, even at home. JETS, 27-19 TENNESSEE (minus 3)
at ARIZONA Tennessee’s AFC South competition, Jacksonville, slipped here. Titans won’t. TITANS, 21-20 DALLAS (minus 5)
at N.Y. GIANTS Bye-bye Ben factor makes us think this will be close. COWBOYS, 23-20 CHICAGO (plus 6) at CINCINNATI Actually thought about this as Best Bet. BENGALS, 26-13 DETROIT (OFF) at TAMPA BAY Loser here might soon start coaching search. BUCCANEERS, 17-16 INDIANAPOLIS (OFF)
at BUFFALO Bills’ lengthy playoff drought about to continue, though they survive this one. BILLS, 13-10
MONDAY NIGHT NEW ENGLAND (minus 11)
at MIAMI Patriots don’t have Gronk, which makes this a tiny bit closer. PATRIOTS, 33-10
——— 2017 RECORD: Last week: Against spread (8-7-1). Straight up (11-5) Season Totals: Against spread (91-88-6). Straight up: (121-70)