Panthers vs. Falcons Prediction
Will the Carolina Panthers upset the Atlanta Falcons Sunday afternoon in a pivotal NFC South matchup at 4:25 p.m. ET?
Who Oddsmakers Like: Atlanta. According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Falcons are 4-point home favorites versus the Panthers, who opened as 3-point underdogs before the line jumped. As for the total, the number hit the board at 47 but has dropped a full two points to 45.
Who the Public Likes: As of Sunday morning, the Panthers are receiving 56% of the betting tickets but 63% of the money is on the Falcons to cover the small point spread.
Who the Trends Like: The under is 7-1-1 in the last nine meetings between these two teams. Meanwhile, the underdog has covered in six of the last eight meetings between these two teams but the home squad is 8-2 at the betting window in the last 10 meetings. The Panthers are also just 2-7 against the spread in their last nine games in Atlanta.
Who We Like: Carolina. The Falcons have gone in and out of funks this season, starting off 3-0, then falling to 3-3, then winning five of six before scuffling last week in New Orleans. Even though they’ve won two of their last three games, Atlanta’s offense is not right. The Falcons managed just nine points against Minnesota in their first game in December, then rattled off 20 against New Orleans at home before mustering only 24 against a banged-up Tampa Bay defense on Monday night last week before settling for 13 last Sunday against the Saints. Despite owning all of that offensive firepower, Matt Ryan and Co. continue to falter.
The Panthers, meanwhile, need this game because they could still win the NFC South and even have a first-round bye with some help. Carolina is 7-2 against the spread in its last nine road games, is 6-2 against the number in its last eight games overall, and has covered in five of its last seven games versus a team with a winning record. Even if Cam Newton and Co. fall, I don’t understand why the Falcons are laying four points today with so much on the line for Carolina, too.
NFL WEEK 17 PREDICTIONS: CAROLINA PANTHERS +4