Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
John Sigler

Saints open as betting favorites against the Falcons in Week 18

The New Orleans Saints are coming off a strong win on the road over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and they’re looking to end the regular season with a win at home against their oldest rivals: the Atlanta Falcons. The opening lines at BetMGM Sportsbook favor the Saints by four points; take that with the 41.5-point over/under and you’re looking at an implied total in the neighborhood of New Orleans 23, Atlanta 19.

That would be a tight finish, but it lines up with what we’ve seen before. The last two games in New Orleans have been decided by margins of three and two points, respectively, with the Saints winning 21-18 last year and the Falcons taking a win 27-25 the year before.

If the Saints want to reach the playoffs, all their paths start the same: with a win over Atlanta next Sunday. Let’s see if they have it in them after getting embarrassed in a 24-15 loss on the road earlier this season.

Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.