Falcons vs. Panthers Over/Under Pick
Points shouldn’t be an issue on either side when the Panthers host the Falcons at 1:00PM ET this Saturday.
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetDSI, the Panthers are 2.5-point home favorites versus the Falcons while the over/under currently sits at 52 points. While the total hasn’t moved off that original number of 52, the Panthers were only a 1.5-point favorite when the lines were first posted by oddsmakers.
The Falcons have won back-to-back games and three of their last four, with their lone loss over that span coming in a heartbreaker at home to the Chiefs. Atlanta has scored 83 points in its last two games, which is remarkable in its own right, nonetheless coming without star receiver Julio Jones. Matt Ryan should have Jones back this Saturday as the receiver continues to rebound from a toe injury.
Over the past two weeks the Panthers have resembled the team that many thought they would coming off their loss in the Super Bowl last season. They thumped the Chargers 28-16 at home two weeks ago and then posted an impressive 26-15 win over the Redskins in D.C. on Monday night. Carolina is just 6-8 on the year and is a massive long shot to make the playoffs, but the Panthers’ playoff hopes are alive nonetheless.
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OUR PREDICTION: Unless you believe the Falcons’ offense will somehow become less potent now that Jones is expected to return to the starting lineup (and why would you?), then there’s no good reason to bet the under. The over is 12-2 in the Falcons’ last 14 games, is 4-0 in their last four divisional games, and is 7-0 in their last seven games against a team with a losing record. The last time these two teams met was back in early October when they combined for 81 points in Atlanta. These two teams might not come close to that mark again but it’s not a stretch to think both teams will get into the 30s.
NFL WEEK 16 PREDICTION: FALCONS/PANTHERS OVER 52
