Panthers vs. Falcons Week 8 Prediction
Will the Falcons win their third straight game while also covering as a 3-point home favorite when they host their NFC South rivals the Panthers at 1:00 p.m. ET?
Game Snapshot
253 Carolina Panthers (+3) at 254 Atlanta Falcons (-3); o/u 46.5
1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, October 31, 2021
Mercedes Stadium, Atlanta, GA
TV: FOX
Carolina Panthers DFS Spin
Panthers coach Matt Rhule said Sam Darnold is “our quarterback moving forward.” Rhule benched Darnold in the fourth quarter of an embarrassing loss to the Giants. The Panthers scored three points and totaled 173 yards of offense. P.J. Walker stepped in for Darnold but somehow looked worse, completing 3-of-14 passes for 33 yards. Despite Darnold’s struggles, he is the best option they currently have on the roster. Carolina gets the Falcons next week. Atlanta entered Week 7 ranked 31st in points allowed per game. Darnold will be a volatile QB2 in the easy matchup.
Atlanta Falcons DFS Spin
Matt Ryan completed 25-of-40 passes for 336 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in the Falcons’ 30-28, Week 7 win over the Dolphins. Leaning on Kyle Pitts for chunk gains — five of the rookie’s seven grabs went for 20-plus yards — Ryan nearly equalled his pre-bye performance in London for his best outing of the season. His scores went for five yards to Calvin Ridley and 49 to Russell Gage, who ran right by Jevon Holland. Ryan did lose a fumble on an ill-fated fourth quarter scramble, though his “interception” was actually a catch that Ridley simply let get ripped away. Ridley has remained an issue for Ryan, as he can’t get his alpha wideout going. Hopefully that changes in Week 8 against the collapsing Panthers.
NFL Week 8 Betting Prediction
The Panthers are just 1-6 against the spread in their last seven games versus the Falcons and are 1-5 against the number in their last six games in Atlanta. Carolina is also winless at the betting window in its last four games overall and is 0-5 against the spread in its last five games in October. The Falcons, meanwhile, are 10-3 against the spread in their last 13 games against a team with a losing record.
NFL WEEK 8 PREDICTION: ATLANTA FALCONS -3