The Atlanta Falcons (+4) will clash with the Carolina Panthers (-4) at Bank of America Stadium. This NFC South game will get underway at 1:00 p.m. ET and FOX is in line to have the TV rights.
Atlanta Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers Betting Preview
In this Sunday NFC game, Carolina is tabbed as the favorite and the team’s currently giving up 4 points. The Falcons are also receiving +150 moneyline odds while the Panthers are -170. If one side can get out in front in the early stages it’ll produce a nice in-game betting opportunity. Oddsmakers have determined the over/under (O/U) to be 47 points.
Odds have shifted slightly from where they were initially posted. The opening line was -4 while the game’s O/U was originally placed at 47.5.
The underwhelming Falcons are 4-10 against the spread (ATS) and are down 7.2 units so far. The team’s posted an O/U record of 8-6. The Panthers are down 3.2 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 6-8 ATS and own an even O/U record of 7-7.
The Falcons are 5-9 straight up (SU), including 2-2 SU against NFC South opponents. The Panthers are 6-8 SU overall and 1-3 SU against divisional foes.
The Falcons hope to make it two in a row 40-14 victory over Arizona in Week 15. Matt Ryan completed 22-of-36 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns. Tevin Coleman (145 rushing yards on 11 attempts, one TD) led the ground attack while Julio Jones (six receptions, 82 yards, one TD) and Calvin Ridley (five catches, 42 yards) handled the receiving duties in the win.
In Week 15, New Orleans knocked off this Carolina crew by a score of 12-9. The Panthers defense let the Saints eat up the clock by running for 155 yards on 32 rush attempts, along with one rushing TD. Alvin Kamara had a good showing in the win for New Orleans, recording 67 rushing yards and a score on 14 attempts, along with 36 yards on seven catches. For Carolina, Cam Newton completed 16-of-29 passes for 131 yards and one interception. Christian McCaffrey (53 rushing yards on 15 attempts) led the running game while McCaffrey (eight receptions, 67 yards) and Jarius Wright (three catches, 21 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the loss.
Atlanta has run the ball on 35.5 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Carolina has a rush percentage of 42.7 percent. The Falcons have rushed for 91 yards/game (including 79 per game against South opponents) and have 10 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Panthers are putting up 135 rushing yards per game (142 in conference) and have 15 total rush TDs.
If the numbers so far this season are any indication, then it’s looking like the Panthers could have an edge in all aspects of the ground game. Their running backs has generated 5.3 yards per carry while their defense has allowed 4.2 YPC to opponents. The Falcons have tallied 4.2 yards per carry while allowing 4.9 YPC to opponents.
The Falcons offense has logged 309 yards/game in the air overall (345 per game versus conference opposition) and has 30 passing scores so far. The Panthers have recorded 249 pass yards per game (265.8 in the NFC) and have 25 total pass TDs.
Defensively, Atlanta has allowed 126 rush yards and 268 pass yards per game. The Carolina D has allowed 264.6 yards per game to opposing passers and 101.9 yards per game on the ground. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to opponents, as the Falcons have given up an ANY/A of 6.80 to opposing QBs, while the Panthers are yielding an ANY/A of 6.87.
Offensively, Ryan is already up to 4,045 passing yards this year. The signal-caller has connected on 70 percent of his 496 attempts with 27 scores through the air and only five interceptions. Ryan has a 7.67 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 6.24 over the last two outings.
Cam Newton has completed 294-of-429 passes for 3,130 yards, 24 TDs and 12 INTs for Carolina. His ANY/A stands at 6.25 for the season and 3.59 over his last two outings.
RELATED: Week 16 NFL Betting Odds and Predictions
Free NFL Tip: Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers
SU Winner – Panthers, ATS Winner – Falcons, O/U – Over
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Notes
Team Betting Trends
The O/U for Atlanta’s previous game going into it was 43.5. The over cashed in the team’s 40-14 win over Arizona.
As a team, Atlanta has rushed for 5.4 yards per attempt over its past three games and 6.3 over its last two.
Carolina has averaged 5.4 yards per carry over its last three outings and only 4.0 over its past two.
The Carolina offense has lost five fumbles this season while Atlanta has let nine get away.
Over its last three matchups, Atlanta is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
The Over/Under for Carolina’s last game was set at 50. The under cashed in that 12-9 defeat to New Orleans.
Over its last three matches, Carolina is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
The Falcons offense has created seven pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Panthers have put up four such plays.
The Atlanta defense has allowed seven pass plays of 40 yards or more, while Carolina has given up 10 such plays.
The Atlanta offense has created six rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Carolina has created 13 such runs.
The Falcons defense has allowed 12 rushing plays of 20+ yards, while the Panthers have given up nine such runs.
The Atlanta defensive unit has 34 sacks on the year while Carolina has 32.
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