The Los Angeles Rams (-3) are flying east to battle the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This early afternoon matchup gets underway at 1:00 p.m. ET and fans can catch the action live on FOX.
Betting Preview: Los Angeles Rams at Atlanta Falcons
In this Sunday NFC matchup, Los Angeles is tabbed as the favorite and is currently giving up 3 points. The Rams are also receiving -150 moneyline odds while the Falcons are +130. If one team catches a lucky break early on it’ll result in a worthwhile live betting opportunity. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 54 points.
With the game’s total placed originally at 52.5, the sharp action is siding with the over.
The Rams have lost 3.5 units so far and are 4-2 against the spread (ATS). The team’s posted an O/U record of 3-3.
The Falcons are down 5.0 units this season. The team is 1-5 ATS and also owns an even O/U record of 3-3.
The Rams have gone 3-3 straight up (SU) in 2019 while the Falcons are 1-5 SU.
The Rams are looking to get back in stride after a 20-7 defeat to San Francisco last week where they allowed the 49ers to pass for 243 yards and rush for 99 yards. George Kittle had a good day for the 49ers in that one with 103 yards on eight catches. Offensively, Jared Goff completed just 13-of-24 passes for 78 yards. Malcolm Brown (40 yards on 11 rush attempts) led the ground attack while Cooper Kupp (four receptions, 17 yards) and Tyler Higbee (three catches, 25 yards) manned the receiving duties in the defeat.
In Week 6, Arizona got the win against this Atlanta team by a score of 34-33. The Falcons defensive unit allowed the Cardinals to pass for 340 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 102 yards. David Johnson had a productive showing in the win for Arizona, posting 34 rushing yards and a score on 12 attempts, along with 68 yards on six catches. For Atlanta, Matt Ryan completed 30-of-36 passes for 356 yards and four touchdowns. Devonta Freeman (88 rushing yards on 19 attempts) spearheaded the running game as Austin Hooper (eight receptions, 117 yards, one TD) and Julio Jones (eight catches, 108 yards) led the receiving attack in the loss.
Los Angeles has run the ball on 35.8 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Atlanta has an overall rush percentage of 31 percent. The Rams have run for 98.3 yards per game and have nine scores on the ground this year. The Falcons are totaling 73.5 rush yards per game and have two total rushing TDs.
If 2019 results are any indication, then the Rams might hold an advantage in terms of effectiveness in the ground game, as their backfield has produced 4.3 yards per carry while the defense is allowing a YPC of 3.5 to opponents. The Falcons have tallied 3.8 yards per carry and allowed a YPC of 3.9 to opponents.
The Rams offensive scheme has tallied 287.8 yards per contest in the air overall and has seven passing TDs so far. The Falcons have produced an astonishing 335.2 pass yards per outing and have 15 total pass scores.
Defensively, Los Angeles seems to have the upper hand in both facets. The team has allowed 105.5 rush yards and 255.5 pass yards per game. The Atlanta D has given up 276 yards per game to opposing passers and 117.7 yards per game on the ground. The Rams are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 6.41 to opposing QBs, while the Falcons have allowed an ugly 9.32 ANY/A.
Offensively, Goff is up to 1,332 passing yards on the year. He’s connected on 63 percent of his 197 attempts with six passing scores and six interceptions. Goff’s got a 5.22 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 5.43 over the last two outings.
Look for Goff to distribute the football early and often in this one. Gerald Everett (314 receiving yards and one touchdown), Cooper Kupp (405 yards, three TDs) and Brandin Cooks (314 yards, one TD) have all been heavily involved recently.
Matt Ryan has connected on 154-of-212 passes for 1,681 yards, 12 TDs and six INTs for Atlanta. His ANY/A stands at 6.97 for the season and 8.74 over his past two outings.
We expect the Atlanta offense to mix it up in this one. Devonta Freeman, Austin Hooper and Julio Jones have combined for 511 total yards and four touchdowns as a trio over the last two outings.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Atlanta Falcons Betting Pick
SU Winner: Rams, ATS Winner: Rams, O/U: Over
Team Betting Trends
- The Rams offense has created two pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Falcons have put up one such play.
- The Los Angeles defense has allowed three pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Atlanta has given up five such plays.
- The Los Angeles offense has created five rushing plays of 20+ yards, while Atlanta has created four such runs.
- The Rams defense has allowed two rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Falcons have given up six such runs.
- The Los Angeles defensive unit has 13 sacks on the year while Atlanta has just five.
- Los Angeles has averaged 4.3 yards per rush attempt across its last three games and 4.8 over its last two.
- Atlanta has averaged 3.5 yards per carry over its last three outings and 3.6 over its past two.
- In its last three matchups, Atlanta is 0-3 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- The Over/Under for Los Angeles’ previous game was 50.5. The under cashed in the team’s 20-7 defeat to San Francisco.
- Over its last three matches, Los Angeles is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- The O/U for Atlanta’s previous outing was set at 52.5. The over cashed in the 34-33 defeat to Arizona.
