Jim Feist's 5* Monday Night Football Side
11/02 05:35 PM PT / 8:35 PM ET

NFL (233) ATLANTA FALCONS (234) NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Take: (233) ATLANTA FALCONS

Reason: The Falcons (4-2 SU/ATS) are talented and playing fairly well, though their new-look defense gets all it can handle here. They have excellent balance on offense behind QB Matt Ryan (11 TDs, 6 picks), RB Michael Turner, WR Roddy White and newcomer 33-year old TE Tony Gonzalez. TE Gonzalez had 73 and 71 receiving yards in the first two games, leading the team each time, and 55 yards in an impressive 45-10 win at San Francisco. The Saints (6-0 SU/ATS) are the team to beat in the NFC. After a 48-27 rout of the NY Giants, shredding the top defense in the NFL with 493 yards, they came from a 2-TD halftime deficit Sunday to beat Miami, 46-34. QB Drew Brees (14 TDs, 5 picks) has been sensational, with WRs Marques Colston, Lance Moore, Devery Henderson and TE Jeremy Shockey, plus RB Reggie Bush as a pass catcher out of the backfield leading an offense averaging 38 ppg. They scored 46 points Sunday even though Brees had his worst day of the season, with three interceptions and five sacks. Both of these teams are built for playing indoors and both should get their points. The Falcons have the balance on offense to stay with this club. Yes, the Saints shredded the top defense they faced in the Ny Giants. However, after Sunday's Giants performance against Philadelphia, we have to now take that thrashing with a grain of salt. The Falcons are getting lots of points and should stay close.