Commanders vs. Falcons Point Spread: NFL Week 6 Odds, Prediction
The Falcons halted a two-game slide last weekend with a 21-19 character win over the rejuvenated Houston Texans, but failed to cover as 2.5-point chalk in their fourth straight loss against the spread. The Commanders travel to Atlanta searching for answers after getting blown out last week in a 40-20 home loss to the Chicago Bears. With their defeat at the hands of the Bears, who had lost each of their previous 13 contests, the Commanders saw their current losing streak extend to three games, in which they have surrendered an average of 35.3 points per game.
The Falcons have emerged as slim 2.5-point home favourites on the NFL Week 6 odds. The Commanders are listed as +120 moneyline underdogs in their bid to halt their current slide, while the total is pegged at 42.5.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Sunday’s matchup will mark the third meeting in as many seasons between these NFC rivals. The Commanders emerged victorious in each of their past two dates with the Falcons, claiming a narrow 19-13 home win last season after earning a 34-30 win in Atlanta two years ago. While last season’s clash proved to be a low-scoring affair, things have been different when these teams meet in Atlanta, where the OVER has gone 6-1-1 over their past eight contests.
Washington Commanders
The Commanders have carried over into the new season the tendency to produce streaky results that has emerged as their hallmark over the past two years. The team has enjoyed spurts of success, like their 2-0 start this season, but have managed to string together three or more defeats on four occasions over their past 27 games. Those uneven results have done little to inspire confidence on the NFL odds, where Washington has gone just 3-7 ATS in their past 10 games. But surprisingly, the Commanders are a solid 6-2 ATS in their past eight road games, and have averaged 33 points scored in two away dates this season. Maintaining that sort of momentum has been a huge challenge for starting quarterback Sam Howell, who managed to complete two scoring passes on 388 yards last week. However, he has been left to fend for himself by a porous offensive line that allowed him to get sacked five times last week, and a league-high 29 times this season. Brian Robinson Jr. had been enjoying a solid start to the season while running for three scores and average over 65 yards in his first four games, but was a non-factor versus the Bears, compiling just 10 yards on a season-low six carries.
Atlanta Falcons
Desmond Ridder has been a regular target of the naysayers in Dixie since he took over the starting quarterback job in Atlanta late last season. And with good reason. Ridder struggled to spark the falcons attack while failing to top 60% in completions on two occasions through the first four weeks of the season. However, the 24-year-old flashed veteran form in last week’s date with Houston, connecting on 28-0f-37 attempts for 329 yards, and guided the team on a pair of lengthy scoring drives in the final frame to seal the win. While those heroics are welcome, Ridder must now prove he can do it again, which is a tall order considering this team scored just 13 total points while losing to Detroit and Jacksonville in their previous two games. But opportunity knocks for Ridder and the Falcons against a Washington squad that ranks 30th in the NFL with 10 scoring passes allowed to date. And with the Commanders struggling to defend against the rush while allowing an average of 143 rushing yards and four scoring runs over their past four games, rookie Bijan Robinson could be poised to top 100 rushing yards