NFL Week 16 Panthers vs. Falcons Picks & Predictions
By Anthony Rome
The Panthers will attempt to go 15-0 with a win today over a Falcons team that they blew out 38-0 just two weeks ago.
The Panthers opened as 6.5-point favorites versus the Falcons for today's 1:00PM ET kickoff, but according to oddsmakers from online sports book RealBeat.eu the line has jumped to 7. As for the total, it opened at 46 but was bet up to 47.5.
That 38-0 loss was the second time the Falcons were embarrassed by the Panthers in the past year. Carolina also handed Atlanta a 34-3 beat-down in Week 17 of the 2014 season, which secured the NFC South crown for the Panthers and eliminated the Falcons from playoff contention.
It's unlikely that the Panthers lose today and it's even more unlikely that the Falcons will keep their slim playoff hopes alive beyond this weekend. But Atlanta showed some fight in a 23-17 win over the Jaguars last Sunday in Jacksonville and shouldn't have any issues getting up for a Panthers team that has humiliated them in the past two meetings.
Atlanta's offensive problems remain, but Carolina surrendered 38 points to the Saints three weeks ago and 35 points to the Giants last Sunday. Look for the Falcons to be much more competitive today than they were two weeks ago in Charlotte.
NFL WEEK 16 FREE PICK: ATLANTA FALCONS +7