Football Odds: Atlanta Falcons vs Carolina Panthers

Sunday, November 15th
Bank of America Stadium – Charlotte, NC

NFL Point Spread: Falcons -2, O/U: 44

For the Carolina Panthers, the giveaways just keep coming… and they’re taking down the team that rolled to the NFC’s No. 2 playoff seed last season. Maligned quarterback Jake Delhomme didn’t throw an interception last Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, but the Panthers managed to cough up three fumbles on the one day their quarterback displayed good ball security. It’s been that kind of a year for coach John Fox’s group, which has rarely been able to string together clean football for any appreciable length of time. The Atlanta Falcons, who are just coming off a victory over the lowly Washington Redskins, might be in store for yet another battle in which being solid, and not spectacular, is enough to post another victory in the pursuit of a playoff berth. 

NFL Handicapping: What The Falcons Have To Do To Win 

Establish Michael Turner. The Falcons’ meal-ticket running back busted loose for 166 yards on just 18 carries last weekend against Washington. Doing some quick math, that’s an average of just over 9.2 yards per carry. Yes, just about everyone’s having a field day against the Redskins this season, but the point remains that Turner is a confident running back at the moment. If coach Mike Smith’s offensive line can continue to create holes and running lanes for Turner, the former San Diego Charger – who learned at the feet of LaDainian Tomlinson – will have another field day against Carolina, the Falcons’ NFC South rival. And if Turner goes wild in this contest, Matt Ryan – who was thoroughly mediocre against Washington – should be able to make enough plays in the passing game to give the Falcons some scoring punch. In some games, the pass must set up the run; in this divisional duel, Atlanta’s ground game must set up the pass. 

NFL Handicapping: What The Panthers Have To Do To Win 

Hit big plays in the passing game. Sure, one could chicken out and say that Carolina has to avoid turnovers in order to win, but that point’s just too obvious. Atlanta is a highly-regarded team, which means that the Panthers, as a slight but justified home underdog, need to play a little bit above their pay grade. Naturally, Carolina will want to establish running back DeAngelo Williams, who rushed for 149 yards on 21 carries against New Orleans on Nov. 8, but with Atlanta being intent on taking away Williams in the early stages of this encounter, it will be up to Delhomme to soften up the Falcons’ front seven. If Carolina can throw the ball downfield with any degree of precision in the first quarter, Atlanta Falcons won’t be able to stack the tackle box, and then the Panthers can use the full playbook in a game they have to win. If the Falcons need to run first and set up the pass, Carolina needs to throw early and set up the run.  

NFL Handicapping: Outlook & Pick 

The Falcons didn’t inspire anyone in their so-so performance against Washington, but Carolina’s loss to New Orleans was a stomach-punch setback. Atlanta might not be at its best, but a Carolina team that needs to be firing on all cylinders in this game is unlikely to be mentally right. The Falcons will take advantage of a dip in the Panthers’ intensity, and find a way to win this game. Don’t expect an explosion of points, either. 

NFL Point Spread Pick: Falcons -2 & Under 44