Falcons vs. Commanders Point Spread: NFL Week 12 Odds, Prediction
The Atlanta Falcons will try to halt a three-game losing streak on the road when they visit the Washington Commanders on Sunday in NFL Week 12 action. The Falcons continued their recent steady play on home turf with last weekend’s 27-24 win over Chicago, but have averaged less than 16 points per game during their current 0-3 road slide. The Commanders remain faced with the challenge of overcoming their disappointing performance at home, where they have lost three of four.
Backed by 58% of sports bettors, the Commanders have improved to 4-point favourites since opening at -3, and the total has faded to 41 since opening at 42.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Sunday afternoon’s matchup at FedExField marks the Falcons’ first trip to Washington since 2018. The Commanders rolled to a 34-30 win when they visited Atlanta in October of last year. However, Washington has struggled to generate offence during a four-game losing streak against the Falcons on home turf, averaging just 16.2 points per game over that stretch. Despite last season’s loss, the Falcons maintain an overall upper hand in recent dates with Washington, winning seven of the past nine and averaging 28.6 points per game over that stretch. However, that has failed to generate steady results in totals betting, with the OVER currently on an unreliable 5-4 run when these teams meet. And with rain in the forecast for game time on Sunday, further uneven results should be expected.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons found themselves engaged in yet another seesaw battle in last week’s date with the visiting Bears. Atlanta opened the scoring before then spotting the Bears a 17-7 lead, forcing them to embark on a second-quarter rally to reclaim the lead, and kick a field goal in the final two minutes to seal the 27-24 win. Lead changes have been commonplace during their team’s current 2-2 run, with Atlanta allowing an average of 13.5 points before halftime over their past four outings, and 28.2 points per game over their past five outings. That has heightened the pressure on the Falcons offense to produce, with largely disappointing results. The squad has been held to 17 or fewer points in each of their three recent road losses.
Washington Commanders
While the Falcons have struggled to generate consistent results on both sides of the ball, the Commanders have found new life since Taylor Heinicke took over the reins as the team’s starting quarterback. Pressed into service by an injury to starter Carson Wentz, Heinicke has guided Washington to wins in four of his five appearances to date. While far from a prolific passer, Heinicke has regularly guided this team on lengthy minute-munching drives that have provided the Commanders defence with a much-needed break after being regularly under siege during a 1-4 start. In the absence of air dominance, the Commanders have gotten things done with an efficient ground game that has produced three scoring runs over the past two games. That marks a turnaround after Washington produced just five scoring runs through their first seven contests, and bodes well as they prepare for a Falcons rush defence that has allowed eight scoring runs over the past five games. In addition, an opportunistic Washington defence has contributed a pair of touchdowns over the past two weeks, raising concerns for a Falcons squad that has committed seven turnovers in four games.
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