This line is on its way to a full field goal, so it's time to lock in with the Falcons. These teams are mirror images of one another defensively, but Atlanta has a clear advantage offensively when it comes to playmaking talent and the quarterback position. Cordarrelle Patterson remains a game-changer for the Falcons, who are trying to protect their spot atop the NFC South, unlike the Panthers who are only playing for pride. Carolina is poor ATS at home and a short week coming off the shellacking by Cincinnati is not enough time for it to get right. The win over Tampa Bay was an outlier. Atlanta is 3-1 ATS on the road this season, and it already beat Carolina once without A.J. Terrell.

Rain and slippery conditions favor the ground-oriented Falcons against the 28th-ranked rush defense. RB Cordarrelle Patterson returned with a bang last Sunday and, with QB Marcus Mariota also capable of taking off, this offense is nearly weather-proof. QB P.J. Walker might not be able to burn the Atlanta secondary as he did a few weeks ago. Besides, his confidence could be shaky after he was pulled at halftime a week ago. With Baker Mayfield and possibly Sam Darnold in the wings, Walker could be looking over his shoulder.

Both teams are essentially the same squad with different coats of paint. We're going to see to athletic QBs, strong ability to run the ball with solid backs, excellent playmakers on the perimeter and athletic defenses. Where the Falcons have an edge in this game is at the QB position, where Marcus Mariota has been much better at protecting the football than his counterparts in Carolina collectively. With a constant light rain expected in the forecast, ball security and those who can protect it, will be paramount.

The Panthers saw enough of Baker Mayfield in Sunday’s 42-21 loss to the Bengals and PJ Walker gets another shot to start. Walker looked sharp in a 37-34 loss at Atlanta three weeks ago. The Falcons have been alternating wins and losses for the last six weeks and took a tough loss last week to the Chargers. The Panthers are 1-10 ATS in their last 11 home games against teams with a losing road record. The Panthers have lost five of their last six (2-4 ATS). Falcons to cover.