The Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers are set to square off on the grass at Bank of America Stadium. This early afternoon game is scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m. ET and FOX has the TV rights.
Betting Preview: Atlanta Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers
The Falcons approach this Sunday NFC game as the dog here and they’re currently receiving 6 points. The Falcons are also receiving +180 moneyline odds while the Panthers are -220. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 50 points. Multiple solid live betting opportunities could present themselves during the game.
The early action has leaned in favor of both the Falcons and the under. The opening line was originally set at -7 while the total was initially 54.
The Falcons are down 1.6 units so far in 2019 and 2-6-1 against the spread (ATS). They’ve been a good under bet and have recorded an Over-Under mark of 3-6.
The Panthers are up 0.3 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 5-4 ATS and have an O/U record of 6-3.
The Falcons are 2-7 straight up (SU), including 1-0 SU against NFC South opponents. The Panthers are 5-4 SU overall and 1-1 SU against divisional foes.
The Falcons are on the upswing after a 26-9 win over New Orleans last week where Matt Ryan completed 20 passes for only 182 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Brian Hill (just 61 yards on 20 rush attempts) and Devonta Freeman (38 yards on 10 carries) led the ground attack while Russell Gage (four receptions, 23 yards) and Austin Hooper (four catches, 17 yards, one TD) handled the receiving duties in the win.
Carolina just fell 24-16 to Green Bay last week. Kyle Allen completed 28-of-43 passes for 307 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Christian McCaffrey (108 rushing yards on 20 attempts, one TD) led the running game as DJ Moore (nine receptions, 120 yards) and Greg Olsen (eight catches, 98 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the loss.
Atlanta’s run the ball on 32.5 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Carolina has an overall rush percentage of 41.7 percent. The Falcons have produced 76.8 rush yards/game (including 143 per game versus South opponents) and have three scores on the ground this year. The Panthers are logging 131.4 rushing yards per game (49 in conference) and have 14 total rush TDs.
The Falcons offense has averaged 319.7 yards through the air overall (182 per game against conference opposition) and has 19 passing scores so far. The Panthers have produced 241.1 pass yards per outing (280 in the NFC) and have 10 total pass TDs.
Defensively, Atlanta has allowed 111 rush yards and 270.3 pass yards per game. The Carolina defense has allowed 248.9 yards per game to opposing passers and 136.7 yards per game on the ground. The Panthers are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 4.66 to opposing QBs, while the Falcons have given up a staggering 8.53 ANY/A.
Offensively, Schaub is up to 525 passing yards this season, and has completed 78 percent of his 58 attempts with two scores through the air and one interception. Schaub has an 8.35 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 7.70 over the last two games.
Julio Jones, Devonta Freeman and Calvin Ridley have combined to account for 498 yards from scrimmage over the last two outings.
For the home team, Kyle Allen has managed to complete 127-of-202 passes for 1,366 yards, eight TDs and four INTs. Allen’s ANY/A sits at 5.28 for the year and 5.74 over his last two games.
We also expect the Carolina offense to mix it up this Sunday. Christian McCaffrey (843 rushing yards, nine rush TDs, 376 receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns on the year), DJ Moore (583 receiving yards, one receiving TD) and Greg Olsen (389 receiving yards, two receiving TDs) have combined to account for 666 total yards and four touchdowns the past couple of games.
Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers Betting Prediction
SU Winner: Panthers, ATS Winner: Panthers, O/U: Over
Team Betting Notes
- The Carolina defensive unit has notched 36 sacks on the year while Atlanta has just 13.
- The Carolina offense has lost nine fumbles this season while Atlanta has let six get away.
- The Falcons offense has registered two pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Panthers have accounted for four such plays.
- The Atlanta defense has allowed five pass plays of 40+ yards, while Carolina has given up two such plays.
- The Atlanta offense has created five rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Carolina has created seven such runs.
- The Falcons defense has allowed six rushing plays of 20+ yards, while the Panthers have given up 12 such runs.
- The O/U for Carolina’s previous match was 49. The under cashed in that 24-16 loss to Green Bay.
- Over its last three matches, Carolina is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- Over its last three games, Atlanta is 1-1-1 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
- The O/U for Atlanta’s last game was 51.5. The under cashed in the team’s 26-9 win over New Orleans.
- Atlanta has averaged 3.8 yards per rush attempt across its past three games and 4.2 over its last two.
- Carolina has averaged 5.4 yards per carry over its last three contests and 4.9 over its past two.
