Every NFL game has a great deal of randomness and unsurety, but if you're betting on one thing in this week of football it should probably be that Drew Brees will break Dan Marino's passing record on Monday night. It's ludicrous to imagine, but even needing 305 passing yards, history favors the New Orleans' QB as he's topped 300 yards every game since Week 2.
However, there is a stout team the Saints are facing off against in the Falcons, and they've had ample time to ready themselves for the offensive onslaught. Fans will have been waiting 11 days to see Matt Ryan and Co. take the field after the long Thursday night to Monday night break. Thankfully the break has come at an opportune time so head coach Mike Smith can recover more after suffering heart complications following the Falcons' win against Carolina a little over a week ago.
As it stands the Saints are being favored by a touchdown in a high scoring affair. The over/under is set at 53 points right now, and seems to be a product more of two high powered offenses, rather than condemnations of the defenses. The Falcons and Saints are ranked 2nd and 10th respectively averaging a combined 57 pts per game, so it would appear that Vegas is setting the line a touch lower than expected. Personally, I think this game will be every bit of the high scoring affair it's predicted to be with both offenses excelling in areas their opponent struggles to cover.
It's the spread that I'm struggling with a little. On paper it seems like this is a game New Orleans should manage to win, but the NFC South is a curious beast. Week 10 continues to echo in my memory as the Saints just edged out the Falcons by a field goal. At that time Atlanta were struggling with injuries, and Matt Ryan wasn't at his best. Personally, I think the Falcons are primed to steal a game this week while the focus is on Brees and his pursuit of the passing record.
If I'm you then I'm taking the over, and I'm taking the Falcons.
For more on Atlanta please visit The Falcoholic. To read more on the Saints head over to Canal Street Chronicles.