Expert Picks
NFL | Atlanta 17 @ Cincinnati 35 | 10/23 | 5:00 PM UTC
Cincinnati -6.5
ANALYSIS: Just as I’m beginning to buy into the Falcons – and they deserve it, by the way, for vastly exceeding expectations to start the season – they end up in a tough matchup against a Bengals team that excels exactly where Sunday’s visitors do not: the passing game. Cincinnati should have its full complement of wide receivers back just in time for the league’s 31st ranked pass defense. Meanwhile, key weapon Cordarrelle Patterson was just placed on IR for the Falcons, and Marcus Mariota seems allergic to targeting Kyle Pitts, who has just 13 receptions in five games. This would be a bit more comfortable at Bengals -6, but I expect Cincinnati to continue thriving at home (5-1 ATS in its last six) and end Atlanta’s incredible ATS streak to start the season.