The New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons could be heading for a shootout to open the season, with the Saints 2.5-point favorites on the road, according to OddsShark.
Despite going 1-7 ATS on the road in the regular season last year, the Saints are favored against a Falcons team that was decimated by injuries in 2013. As always, the Saints will bring with them a high-powered offense led by quarterback Drew Brees. He'll be looking to exploit a Falcons defense that was ranked 27th in the NFL.
The Falcons are trying to put last season's nightmare behind them as they welcome back healthy wide receivers Julio Jones and Roddy White. Even 31-year-old running back Steven Jackson is expected to have a better season, despite a hamstring injury throughout training camp and the preseason. This is a team not far removed from Super Bowl aspirations, and taking down the Saints at home is the first step to getting back to that point.
Atlanta is currently enjoying a 5-0 ATS run when starting the season at home, and is 5-1 ATS in its last six games overall.
Be sure to head over to OddsShark to get a complete betting preview of Sunday's matchup.