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The Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons will play in an NFC South matchup on Sunday in Atlanta. It's time to continue our NFL odds series and make a Panthers-Falcons prediction and pick.
The Panthers and Falcons entire Sunday's contest close in the division standings, but seemingly headed in entirely opposite directions. The Falcons have won three of their last four, including two straight, and look to be picking up first-year head coach Arthur Smith's new offense.
The Panthers, however, started the season 3-0 but have now lost four straight as Sam Darnold has melted in the absence of Christian McCaffrey. Matt Ryan has 10 touchdowns and just one interception over his last four games, and is averaging over 300 passing yards per game over that stretch, while rookie tight end Kyle Pitts is looking better and better each week.
Here's how the bookmakers have set the Panthers-Falcons odds for this Sunday matchup.
NFL Odds: Panthers-Falcons Odds
Carolina Panthers +3 (-106), +136 ML
Atlanta Falcons -3 (-105), -162 ML
Over 46.5 points (-114)
Under 46.5 points (-106)
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Why The Panthers Can Cover The Spread
The Panthers are probably a little better equipped in the trenches than the Falcons, but it may not matter if Sam Darnold can't play any better than he has over the past few weeks. McCaffrey is still out due to injury, so the Panthers will be missing their best playmaker again this Sunday. If the Panthers are going to cover this week, they will need to show up defensively as Darnold has not been reliable over the past few games. This could be a tight game between two middling teams, but there are some real concerns with the Panthers, who are again on a four-game losing streak.
Why The Falcons Can Cover The Spread
Matt Ryan and Kyle Pitts are starting to create a special connection. Pitts has combined for nearly 300 receiving yards over the past two games, and looks like the centerpiece of the Falcons offense. He had a huge catch to help get Atlanta in field goal range to beat the Miami Dolphins in Week 7, and looks unguardable after eating on Xavien Howard on Sunday. If the Falcons could get Calvin Ridley going, they could have another special season offensively. The Falcons are in good shape to cover if they can get some defense Sunday, but in Atlanta that is often the case. They don't always play defense, but have looked better the past couple games in the turnover department. Against another turnover prone QB, they may be in good shape for another win and a cover.
Final Panthers-Falcons Prediction & Pick
Roll with the Falcons at home to cover the spread.
FINAL PANTHERS-FALCONS PREDICTION & PICK: Falcons -3 (-115)
