The New Orleans Saints (6-10) visit the Atlanta Falcons (7-9) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta for a Week 18 showdown, and USA TODAY’s panel of NFL experts have locked in their picks and predictions for the action. Here’s everything you need to know before kickoff on Sunday, January 4, including live updated odds and injury report news.

NameWeek 172025 SeasonBlake Schuster3-12-1130-106-7Jon Hoefling9-6-1126-123-7Tyler Dragon6-9-1122-127-7Chris Bumbaca7-8-1108-112-6Lorenzo Reyes4-11-1111-123-6Jordan Mendoza7-8-1105-115-6Richard MorinN/A47-34-3Falcons vs. Saints live odds, moneyline, over/under

Opening Lines

Spread: Falcons (-5.5)Moneyline: Falcons (-230), Saints (+190)Over/Under: 43.5

Get the edge with our exclusive NFL betting picks

Falcons vs. Saints picks against the spreadJon Hoefling: New Orleans Saints (+3)

Atlanta has nothing to play for other than a possible three-way tie for first in the NFC South, while New Orleans is as hot as they’ve been all year.

Tyler Dragon: Atlanta Falcons (-3)

Bijan Robinson looked like the best player in the NFL in Week 17.

Christopher Bumbaca: Atlanta Falcons (-3)

Tyler Shough has emerged as the best rookie quarterback in his class. But that Falcons’ pass defense, and a chance to keep the Bucs out of the playoffs, makes me want to fade him.

Jordan Mendoza: New Orleans Saints (+3)

Plenty of eyes will be watching to see if this game affects how the NFC South shakes out, but it won’t matter with how great New Orleans is playing at the moment. The Saints end the season on a winning streak.

Lorenzo Reyes: Atlanta Falcons (-3)

Atlanta is eliminated from playoff contention, but it can still ruin Tampa Bay’s playoff hopes, even if the Buccaneers win their matchup. That should give the Falcons some motivation. They have the better roster, have won three consecutive and are at home. I like them a lot in this spot.

Blake Schuster: New Orleans Saints (+3)

The two best teams with little to play for but pride. The Saints win a genuine nail-bitter and Tyler Shough maintains his momentum heading into 2026.

Falcons vs. Saints updated injury reportNFL Week 18 picks, predictions, oddsSuper Bowl 60 updated odds