Patriots vs. Falcons Thursday NFL injury report, spread: Damien Harris returning, Cordarrelle Patterson likely; Mac Jones can increase Rookie of Year odds lead

A popular theme on sports radio this week is which order the first-round quarterback class of 2021 would go in if the draft were re-held today. The common refrain was that New England's Mac Jones, who was the last of the five picked, would now be second. Jones is the +110 favorite at Caesars Sportsbook to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors entering Thursday's game in Atlanta. Jones will have top running back Damien Harris back from injury, while Falcons running back/receiver Cordarrelle Patterson probably plays. Click here for model picks on the game.

New England opened as a 4.5-point favorite for this one but is up to -6.5 at Caesars Sportsbook with a total of 47 that has risen a point. Nearly 80 percent of the tickets sold and money wagered are on the Pats and about 60 percent of both on the Under.

The Pats enter having won four straight games, three in blowout fashion. They are the only team in the NFL to win and cover each of its past four. In Sunday's 45-7 rout of Cleveland, Jones had his best game thus far, completing 19 of 23 (82.6 percent) for 198 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. That was good for a 142.1 rating, the fifth-highest single-game passer rating by a rookie quarterback in the Super Bowl era (minimum 20 attempts).

Jones leads rookie quarterbacks in completions (223), completion percentage (69.0), passing yards (2,333), touchdown passes (13) and passer rating (94.1). He can join Dak Prescott (2016) and Ben Roethlisberger (2004) as the only rookie quarterbacks to ever win their first five career road starts.

For this game, Jones is set with Over/Unders of 251.5 yards and 1.5 TD passes. Remember, the former Alabama star was the No. 15 overall pick in this year's draft. Think the Jets wish they took him at No. 2 instead of Zach Wilson? The Niners at No. 3 instead of Trey Lance? The Lions at 7? Panthers at No. 8? Broncos at 9?

Harris missed Sunday's win in the concussion protocol but has been cleared. Harris might have lost some carries regardless, though, as rookie Rhamondre Stevenson had 20 carries for 100 yards and two TDs in his place. Harris is given an O/U of 51.5 yards Thursday.

Atlanta was embarrassed in Dallas on Sunday 43-3 on Sunday as Matt Ryan had one of the worst games of his career in completing 9-for-21 for 117 yards and two picks before being pulled late. His 21.7 passer rating was a career low.

Patterson wasn't much of a factor with 39 total yards but has been dynamic overall and will be a game-time call with an ankle injury, although he did practice in limited fashion Tuesday and Wednesday. Patterson has 473 receiving yards (second on team) and 303 rushing yards (first) and has seven total TDs, equaling a career high. The Falcons look for their first "home" win in Atlanta this year – they did win as the "home" team in London in Week 5.

The Falcons are 0-6 SU & ATS in their past six vs. the Patriots, but those were when New England had a guy named Tom Brady.

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