Live NFL - Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints 6pm Sky Sports

Both of these defenses needed help in the off-season. 

Personnel and coaching have arrived for the Saints, but they still look vulnerable with a questionable pass rush and a Falcons' offense that is loaded with talent. 

Atlanta also drafted with defense in mind. Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford to bolster their secondary and Goodman and Maponga along the line. Umenyiora has been brought in to rush the passer (and can give Charles Brown problems in this one) and the D could become a decent unit, but it'll be some baptism in this game and the secondary may buckle.

 

New Orleans are something of a juggernaut on the offensive side of the ball, and with their HC back on the sidelines and revenge on their minds, the Superdome is going to be a difficult place to win.

 
Look for a big game from Jimmy Graham (TEs and slot receivers gave Atlanta fits last year)  and Falcons' new boy Steven Jackson, as the home team are struggling for fit bodies at LB. 

As far as the spread goes, this is a tough call. 

New Orleans will put up a score, but their defense is poor and I'm not sure how Rob Ryan's aggressive scheme will sit with the players he has, and the new arrivals. In this situation, I have to take the points as I expect Jones, White and Gonzalez to dominate downfield and Jackson to find room to run (and catch) out of the backfield, while Atlanta's defensive upgrades should settle quicker.

 

This has the look of a shoot-out though, so I'll also take the Overs.

Pick: Atlanta +3 @ 2.05 (1-0, +0.87)

Pick: Over 54.5 @ 1.91

Pick: 1st TD Jimmy Graham @ 11 (0-1, -1)

Pick: Anytime TD Tony Gonzalez @ 2.38 (1-0, +1)