Falcons can take big step

With their first two games in the win column, the New Orleans Saints are continuing last season's success in at least one way. But the Saints are not passing the eye test or winning any statistical contests.

In the NFL rankings, the defending Super Bowl champions are 21st in total offense and 23rd in total defense.

Are the Atlanta Falcons ready to arise and challenge New Orleans for supremacy in the NFC South? It appears so, and maybe the answer will come today.

The Saints are 3½-point home favorites over the Falcons, who are getting far more support at Las Vegas sports books this week. The line has dipped as low as 3 at some books.

"This is a good spot for the Falcons to show they are going to contend for the division and beat the Saints this year," Las Vegas handicapper Mike Scalleat said. "The Saints are on a short week, and I just really think they are beatable. The Falcons can win this game."

Atlanta (1-1) was a 6½-point home favorite last week in a 41-7 blowout of Arizona. Matt Ryan passed for 225 yards and three touchdowns, and Jason Snelling rushed for 129 yards and two scores.

The Falcons lost running back Jerious Norwood to a season-ending injury, and Michael Turner is not at full strength.

But the Saints will be without running back Reggie Bush, who was injured Monday in a 25-22 victory at San Francisco. Scalleat said New Orleans will miss Bush on special teams and in the short passing game.

Accuracy has not been a problem for Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who has completed 74 percent of his passes. Brees just has not hit as many deep throws, and the offense has looked sluggish.

"I like Ryan, the running game is good, and they play pretty good defense," Scalleat said of the Falcons, who rank sixth in the league in total offense and 16th in total defense.

Scalleat analyzes the rest of today's Week 3 schedule:

■ Tennessee at N.Y. Giants (-3): The Giants will focus on stopping Titans running back Chris Johnson and make Vince Young try to beat them with his passing and running. I don't think Young is all there right now. I've got the Giants at 30-1 odds to win the Super Bowl, so to me they are one of the teams in the mix. They looked bad in their loss at Indianapolis last week, but I like the Giants in this game.

■ Buffalo at New England (-14): I don't like laying big numbers, but I bet the Patriots. The Bills are going to Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback, and I don't see where their offense is going to come from. Tom Brady didn't do anything in the second half against the Jets last week. The Patriots coming off a loss is a strong play.

■ Cleveland at Baltimore (-11): It looks like the Browns could be without Jake Delhomme, who has a sprained ankle, so Seneca Wallace might be the quarterback. I'm not that impressed with Joe Flacco, who threw four interceptions in the Ravens' loss at Cincinnati. If a team is not scoring -- and Baltimore is averaging 10 points -- it's tough to lay 11. I lean to the Browns a little.

■ Pittsburgh (-2½) at Tampa Bay: This seems like a sucker line. It seems like they're trying to suck you in as if it's a bad spot for the Steelers. It looks like Pittsburgh is going to go 3-1 or 4-0 without Ben Roethlisberger. The Steelers have got Baltimore next week. It looks like a trap game, so I think the play is the Buccaneers.

■ Cincinnati (-3) at Carolina: It's the first start for Panthers rookie quarterback Jimmy Clausen. You've got to like the Bengals with their defense and Carson Palmer's options on offense. If the Panthers can't win at home against Tampa Bay, how are they going to beat Cincinnati? Lay the points with the Bengals.

■ San Francisco (-2½) at Kansas City: The 49ers really need this game, but they make too many mistakes. I like Mike Singletary as a coach because he's a fiery guy, but he doesn't play. I like the Chiefs at home as an underdog. They are 2-0 and gaining confidence. I'm not convinced on 49ers quarterback Alex Smith. Take the points.

■ Detroit at Minnesota (-11½): When two winless teams are playing, the tendency is for a lot of scoring. I'm looking at the Lions and over the total (42½). I don't see many positives in the way the Vikings are playing. They have weapons, but Brett Favre is pressing and forcing plays.

■ Dallas at Houston (-3): I think the Cowboys are going to be 0-3. I expect the Texans to cover. There are a lot of problems in the Dallas locker room, and I don't like Wade Phillips as a coach. The Cowboys got hammered by the Vikings in the playoffs, they didn't play well in the preseason, and it has continued. Houston quarterback Matt Schaub might have turned the corner. This is the year the Texans get hot.

■ Washington (-4) at St. Louis: Rams rookie Sam Bradford has been playing well, passing for 420 yards and three touchdowns in two close losses. Steven Jackson can run the ball to help him out. Last week the Redskins blew a 17-point lead, which is hard to do. I'll side with the Rams to get a win at home.

■ Philadelphia (-3) at Jacksonville: The Eagles' Andy Reid is not my favorite coach. I think Michael Vick is a better quarterback than Kevin Kolb. Vick can run and pass and tire out the Jacksonville defense. The Eagles are usually a good road team, and I think Vick can cover the three points.

■ Indianapolis (-5½) at Denver: I know some guys who are on the Broncos, but I just don't see it. Peyton Manning and the Colts' offense is too strong. Kyle Orton is looking good as Denver's quarterback. I normally like the home 'dog, but I'm going with the Colts.

■ San Diego (-5) at Seattle: The Chargers are not a team I like on the road, and the weather is always a little funny in Seattle. I do like the home 'dog here so I took the Seahawks and the points. Matt Hasselbeck is playing OK as the Seattle quarterback, and Pete Carroll is a better coach than Norv Turner. The Chargers are 2-6 against the spread in their past eight games as road favorites.

■ Oakland at Arizona (-4½): I'm taking the Raiders with Bruce Gradkowski at quarterback. I'm not sold on the Cardinals' Derek Anderson because he's too hot and cold. I think Oakland's Tom Cable is a terrible coach. Cable doesn't even look like he should be on the sideline; he should be in a sitcom. This line is too high. The Raiders can run the ball, and they will play better with Gradkowski.

■ N.Y. Jets at Miami (-2½): The Dolphins' defense can shut down Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez. I do like Chad Henne and think he's going to be a good quarterback for the Dolphins. He has wide receiver Brandon Marshall to make some big plays. The Dolphins won two road games, and I'll go with them here laying less than a field goal.

Compiled by Review-Journal sports writer Matt Youmans.