NFL Football Betting – NFC South Showdown between Falcons and Panthers

Atlanta Falcons (-1½) vs. Carolina Panthers (+1½)
Sunday, November 15th - 1:00 PM ET
O/U (44½)

Cha-Ching! The Carolina Panthers (3-5 SU, 3-5 ATS, 4-4 O/U) have been money in the bank lately covering the NFL point spread in two straight games and three of its last four games for pro football bettors everywhere.

The Panthers have gone a respectable 2-2 straight up (SU) over the stretch but just can’t seem to make any headway in the powerful NFC South as they play catch-up to the undefeated New Orleans Saints and second place Atlanta Falcons (5-3 SU, 6-2 ATS, 5-3 O/U).

Falling to New Orleans 30-20 in Week 9 after jumping out to a 14-0 lead was a big let down, but the Panthers will have a chance to make up a bit of ground in the NFC South in Week 10 when they host Atlanta.

The Falcons avoided a three-game losing streak by laying a 31-17 whipping on the lowly Washington Redskins on Sunday to keep their own ATS hot streak going as they’ve cashed in for NFL gamblers in four of their last five games.

Both teams will be primed for battle when they take to the field at Bank of America Stadium at 1 PM ET.

Key Trends

• Falcons are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games as a favorite.
  
• Falcons are 5-1 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.
  
• Panthers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. NFC South.
  
• Panthers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 home games.
  
  

Keys To Victory

Carolina
Carolina is ranked an impressive sixth in pass defense this season but are giving up 122.2 rushing yards per game (23rd) so they must stop Falcons’  bowling ball running back Michael Turner in this contest. That will likely be a tall task for the Panthers with Turner heating up recently, by rushing for 166 and 151 yards in each of Atlanta’s last two games.

The Panthers also need to stop giving the ball away like they’re allergic to it or something. Carolina’s three fumbles against the Saints, including one by DeAngelo Williams that came on his own one-yard line, were the main reason the Panthers lost to New Orleans, so holding on to the ball will be crucial for the Panthers.

Atlanta
Simply put, the Falcons need to play some damn defense! Atlanta is ranked in the bottom third across the board in every meaningful defensive category and had better be prepared to stop Carolina running back DeAngelo Williams, (768 yards) who is averaging a stellar 5.2 yards per carry this season.

Williams will be looking to bounce back from a bad game against the Saints after killing Carolina’s potential 19-play game-winning drive by dropping a perfectly thrown pass on third down late in the fourth quarter.

Atlanta may have one of the game’s best young quarterbacks in second-year pro Matt Ryan, but the Falcons are ranked just 19th in passing yards this season(215.8) and will need to complete some passes to keep Carolina’s defense honest.

Analysis: This is a tough call for BetUS NFL betting enthusiasts as these two division rivals are very familiar  with each other and are a lot more evenly matched than their SU records would seem to indicate.