The Falcons are still in the hunt to make it to the playoffs. The Panthers have already been scratched off the list, but will want to finish off the season with a win. Keep reading to get this NFL football pick.
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- What: Atlanta Falcons vs Carolina Panthers
- When: Saturday, December 24, 2016
- Start Time: 1:00 PM ET
- Stadium: Bank of America Stadium
- Spread: Falcons -3
- Moneyline: Falcons -158 vs Panthers +138
- Game Total: 51
Betting on the Falcons
The Falcons are in crunch time, they’re scrambling to get to the playoffs and will do whatever it takes to get back on track. This is evidenced by how they tore through their two last opponents, the Rams and 49ers, over which they scored 40 points each.
Against San Francisco, the Falcons ran circles against its rush defense; Atlanta racked up 248 yards with Devonta Freeman leading the way with 139 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. The passing game was also effective for Atlanta with quarterback Matt Ryan completing 74 percent of his passes and two passing touchdowns.
The first time around these two teams played, the Falcons demolished Carolina in a game that ended 48-33 in the Falcons favor. In that occasion, Ryan passed for 503 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Jones (who will be absent this game) received for 300 yards.
Atlanta has more than enough weapons to drive the final nail in the Panthers coffin, even if by this time Carolina has been already eliminated from the playoffs.
Betting on the Panthers
Carolina will seek to end its horrible 2016 campaign on a high note with a win over the Falcons. The Panthers have won their two last games, just recently defeating the Washington Redskins, 26-15, on Monday Night Football. They’ve also beaten the spread in the last three games out of their last five.
Most of the credit needs to go to the defense, which has played spectacularly even against a tough offense such as that of the Redskins. They kept Washington to only 15 points while forcing three turnovers.
As for the Panthers’ offense, though Cam Newton has been ailing from a shoulder injury, he’s picked up his game in the last match, passing for 300 yards and two touchdowns. Receiving Jonathan Stewart also had a good outing against the Redskins and will be back for this game having missed it the last time these two met. The Panthers may have the advantage in playing at their home turf where they’ve won three out of their last four games.
Betting Trends
- Atlanta is 9-4 ATS in its last 13 games
- Atlanta is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
- The total has gone OVER in 8 of Atlanta's last 9 games
- Atlanta is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
- Carolina is 4-6-2 ATS in its last 12 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Carolina's last 7 games
- Carolina is 9-3-1 ATS in its last 13 games at home
- Carolina is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Game Prediction: Though Carolina has the home-field advantage, Atlanta is a much more motivated team. The Falcons will do whatever it takes to get to the playoffs and they’ll come out gunning. Atlanta wins.
