New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons 9/11/22 - NFL Picks & Predictions

The New Orleans Saints open their regular season on the road Sunday September 11 against NFC South rival the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Jameis Winston started at quarterback in the final game of the preseason for New Orleans and played well completing each of his four passes for 59 yards. Winston will start under center to open the season for New Orleans. Find out how we think your team will do with our free NFL picks.

Alvin Kamara also saw his only action during the preseason, rushing for 19 yards. Kamara will be the feature running back, well Mark Ingram will also see plenty of time on the field at running back. Wide receiver Jarvis Landry will be the feature receiver until Michael Thomas is able to play. The New Orleans defense will be led by linebackers Demario Davis and Pete Werner while the secondary has a talented cornerback in Marshon Lattimore. 

Atlanta started rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder in the final game of the preseason resulting in a victory for the Falcons but Marcus Mariota will be under center to start the regular season. The featured running back for Atlanta will be Cordarrelle  Patterson. Rookie wide receiver Drake London is questionable for Atlanta in the season opener but Olamide Zaccheaus  and Bryan Edwards give Mariota two excellent targets to look for.

Atlanta's defense has been a weak link the past few seasons but the starting defensive ends Grady Jarrett and Ta’Quon Graham will pressure the opposing quarterbacks, while the group of four linebackers led in the middle by Deion Jones and Rashaan Evans and on the outside by the Renzo Carter and Adetokunbo Ogundeji will pressure the opposing quarterbacks and also make it hard on opposing running games.