Atlanta Falcons-Carolina Panthers Odds and Picks Against the Spread

ATLANTA FALCONS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (-1, O/U 43.5), SUN., 1 P.M. ET

Fighting the post-Super Bowl blues that often afflicts the game’s loser, the Falcons, in a way, begin a belated defense of their NFC South title Sunday. This is their first division matchup.

Carolina knows all too well about a Super Bowl hangover, having regressed last season after reaching the ultimate game. The Panthers, who have overly relied on their defense, made an eye-opening trade this week in trying to kick-start the offense.

LINE MOVEMENTS, TRENDS

The public cannot make up its mind. The spread opened at one, drifted up to 2.5 and executed a U-turn back to 1.5.

The Panthers fare well against their nearby neighbor at home, as a recent 4-1 ATS record indicates.

Yet the Falcons excel in general on the road, having won nine of 13 ATS going back to late 2015. However, they have failed to cover in the past four games overall, while the Panthers are in an identical slump for ATS at home.

BREAKDOWN

The Carolina defense has yielded no touchdowns the past two weeks, mainly owing to a pass rush that has produced the league’s second-most sacks (27). Matt Ryan is fond of TE Austin Hooper as a target, but Atlanta might need to keep its tight ends on the line to block.

The Falcons are not praying for rain. Under a steady drizzle-to-downpour last Sunday, Ryan fumbled four snaps from center Alex Mack, which nearly cost them against the Jets.

Newton likely will not be taking snaps for another week from injured C Ryan Kalil (neck), a Pro Bowler.

Atlanta RB tandem of Tevin Coleman and Devonta Freeman has generated six straight 100-yard-plus games. Expect to hear run-stopping LB Luke Kuechly’s name called. 

Panthers QB Cam Newton was perturbed about the trade of rangy WR Kelvin Benjamin to Buffalo. The Panthers explained by saying they seek more speed on the perimeter, which could mean passes to the shorter, faster and unsung Curtis Samuel and Kaelin Clay.

PICK

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