A couple of clubs that prefer to air it out, the Atlanta Falcons (-2) are set to host their NFC South nemesis Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This early afternoon matchup is scheduled to kick off at 1:00 p.m. ET and FOX will televise the action.
Betting Preview: Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons
Carolina is a live dog here and is currently getting 2 points. The Panthers are also receiving +110 moneyline odds while the Falcons are -130. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 48.5 points, and if one team gets out in front early, it will likely create a nice in-game betting opportunity.
Odds have moved from when they were first posted. The opening line was -1, while the game’s over/under has yet to move after being set initially at 48.5.
The disappointing Panthers are 6-6 against the spread (ATS) and are down 7.5 units so far. The team has posted an O/U mark of 8-4.
The Falcons have lost 2.5 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 3-8-1 ATS and have an O/U record of 4-8.
The Panthers have gone 5-7 straight up (SU), including 1-3 SU against NFC South opponents. The Falcons are 3-9 SU overall and 2-2 SU against divisional foes.
The Panthers hope to get back on track after a 29-21 loss to Washington last week. Kyle Allen completed 27-of-46 passes for 278 yards, two scores and one interception. Christian McCaffrey (44 yards on 14 rush attempts) led the ground attack. McCaffrey (seven receptions, 58 yards) and DJ Moore (six catches, 75 yards, one TD) shared the receiving duties in the defeat.
In Week 13, New Orleans got the victory against this Atlanta team by a score of 26-18. Matt Ryan completed 35-of-50 passes for 312 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Devonta Freeman (51 rushing yards on 17 attempts) spearheaded the running game as Calvin Ridley (eight receptions, 91 yards) and Christian Blake (six catches, 57 yards) led the receiving attack in the loss.
Carolina has run the ball on 39.4 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Atlanta has an overall rush percentage of 32.9 percent. The Panthers have produced 120.5 rush yards/game (including 74 per game against South opponents) and have 16 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Falcons are putting up 74.3 rushing yards per game (85.8 in conference) and have five total rush TDs.
The Panthers offense has logged 252.4 yards per contest through the air overall (285.3 per game versus conference opposition) and has 15 passing scores so far. The Falcons have produced 319.1 pass yards per game (284 against NFC foes) and have 23 total pass TDs.
On the defensive side of the ball, Carolina seems to have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed 137.5 rush yards and 251 pass yards per game. The Atlanta defense has allowed 271.3 yards per game to opposing passers and 108.7 yards per game on the ground. The Panthers are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.19 to opponents, while the Falcons have given up a 7.6 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Allen is up to 2,201 yards this season. He’s completed 202-of-330 attempts with 12 scores through the air and 10 interceptions. Allen’s got a 4.60 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 5.35 over the last two games.
Matt Ryan has completed 278-of-401 passes for 2,975 yards, 20 TDs and 11 INTs for Atlanta. His ANY/A stands at 6.14 for the season and 3.50 over his last two outings.
Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons Free NFL Tip
SU Winner: Panthers, ATS Winner: Panthers, O/U: Under
Team Betting Trends
- The Carolina defense has 46 sacks on the year while Atlanta has just 18.
- The Atlanta offense has lost eight fumbles this season while Carolina has lost 11.
- The Panthers offense has created six pass plays of 40+ yards, while the Falcons have accounted for three such plays.
- The Carolina defense has allowed two pass plays of 40+ yards, while Atlanta has given up eight such plays.
- The Carolina offense has created seven rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Atlanta has created five such runs.
- The Panthers defense has allowed 18 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Falcons have given up 10 such runs.
- The O/U for Atlanta’s previous game was set at 48. The under cashed in the 26-18 defeat to New Orleans.
- In its last three contests, Atlanta is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- In its last three games, Carolina is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- Carolina has lost six of its last seven games SU, with a 10-point victory over Tennessee on November 3rd representing the only win over that span.
- The O/U for Carolina’s last game was 39. The over cashed in the team’s 29-21 defeat to Washington.
- As a team, Carolina has produced 4.1 yards per carry across its past three games and 3.8 over its last two.
- Atlanta has averaged 2.8 yards per carry over its last three outings and 3.2 over its past two.
