If the cards land a certain way, Week 17’s Sunday night match between the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Commanders could be a playoff preview.
It seems wild to think that Atlanta and Washington may step on the gridiron to play some meaningful January football against each other, but the Falcons’ fortunes have suddenly shifted favourably. They manhandled the New York Giants last week 34-7 to improve to 8-7 and lead the NFC South. The Commanders are mathematically out of contention for the NFC East crown but incidentally earned a bold win over the Eagles last week, fighting back from a major deficit to claim a 36-33 win.
Our NFL odds think the host Commanders will get their 11th win of the season, pinning them as -4 favourites.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Not to bring up bad memories, but looking at the recent history between the Falcons and Commanders, there is a clear demarcation between before and after the global events of 2020. Before that, the Georgia-based franchise rode a six-game winning streak that stretched from 2006 through 2018. Since then, Washington has claimed three consecutive contests.
How quickly things can change in the NFL. Two weeks ago the Falcons headed into a Monday night game with Kirk Cousins under centre. He played horribly, but Atlanta still won. Last week, head coach Raheem Morris opted for 2024 first-round draftee Michael Penix Jr. Atlanta won easily, Penix looked good, and now the Falcons might win the division. Not only did they win outright in Week 16, but it was their first covered spread in six weeks. The Falcons are 6-8-1 ATS on the season.
Things are running more smoothly in Washington, although their superior record won’t change the fact that their playoff journey, should they have one, will be mostly on the road. The spread has been more of a struggle recently, as the Commanders have only covered twice in their last six matches. Two players critical to their success are questionable as of Dec. 26: WR Terry McLaurin (ankle) and CB Marshon Lattimore (hamstring).
Atlanta Falcons
Whatever happens the rest of the season for the Falcons, they and their fans needed a game like last Sunday’s 34-7 stomping over the Giants.
The truth is Penix didn’t have to do that much. He finished 18/27 for 202 yards and was picked off once (although it was entirely WR Kyle Pitts’ fault). Still, those are far from bad numbers given that he’s being thrown into the lion’s den at a critical juncture of the season. But it was the defence that ruled the day. Jessie Bates III returned a 55-yard pick to the house in the second quarter, and Matthew Judon did likewise for 27 yards in the third period. Other than that, RB Bijan Robinson scampered for 94 yards on the ground and punched it in twice.
Atlanta got the cozy home win against a weak opponent. Sunday night on the road will be a far bigger test.
Washington Commanders
If the Washington Commanders understand the brilliance of what they accomplished in Week 16, they should be riding a wave of momentum.
First and foremost, they grounded the Eagles, something most teams have failed to do this season. Second, they did so by mounting a brazen comeback despite trailing 27-14 when the final quarter commenced. Jayden Daniels connected with Olamide Zaccheaus for a 4-yard score to make it 27-21, then with Zaccheaus again on a wild play that went 49 yards to flip the script 28-27 for Washington.
A pair of late Philly field goals only made the Commanders game-winning drive all the more dramatic, capped off with a 9-yard strike from Daniels to Jamison Crowder with just six ticks left on the clock.
The Commanders are now fifth in the NFL in total yards gained per contest (373.5) and fourth in points scored (28.8).
Who Will Win Falcons vs. Commanders?
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FALCONS
23 -
COMMANDERS
27
Score
Prediction
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
---|---|---|---|
Opening 24 Dec 1:53pm | - | - | O +47.5 -110 |
Closing 30 Dec 3:53am | - | - | U +44.5 -130 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Falcons Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
9 |
Rushing |
644 |
Passing |
3508 |
Receiving |
100 |
Sacks |
6 |
Interceptions |
4 |
Touchdowns |
8 |
Rushing |
799 |
Passing |
364 |
Receiving |
66 |
Sacks |
10.5 |
Interceptions |
2 |
Touchdowns | |
Rushing | |
Passing | Did not qualify |
Receiving | |
Sacks | |
Interceptions |
Touchdowns |
2 |
Rushing |
129 |
Passing |
23 |
Receiving |
18 |
Sacks |
3.5 |
Interceptions |
2 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Commanders Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
9 |
Rushing |
644 |
Passing |
3508 |
Receiving |
100 |
Sacks |
6 |
Interceptions |
4 |
Touchdowns |
8 |
Rushing |
799 |
Passing |
364 |
Receiving |
66 |
Sacks |
10.5 |
Interceptions |
2 |
Touchdowns | |
Rushing | |
Passing | Did not qualify |
Receiving | |
Sacks | |
Interceptions |
Touchdowns |
2 |
Rushing |
129 |
Passing |
23 |
Receiving |
18 |
Sacks |
3.5 |
Interceptions |
2 |
Weather

temp | 58 |
condition | cloudy |
wind | Southeast 10mph |
Injuries
Brandon Dorlus (DT)
Dee Alford (CB)
Matthew Bergeron (OL)
JD Bertrand (LB)
Lorenzo Carter (LB)
Zach Harrison (DL)
Nate Landman (LB)
Drake London (WR)
Darnell Mooney (WR)
David Onyemata (DL)
John Bates (TE)
Jeff Driskel (QB)
Frankie Luvu (LB)
Zach Ertz (TE)
Clelin Ferrell (DE)
Javontae Jean-Baptiste (DE)
Daron Payne (DT)
Bobby Wagner (LB)
Olamide Zaccheaus (WR)
Sam Cosmi (G)
Injuries
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brandon Dorlus (DT) | Questionable | Abdominal - 03 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Dorlus is managing an abdominal injury, and it remains to be seen if he will take the field for next match. |
|||||
Dee Alford (CB) | Questionable | Groin - 02 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Alford is dealing with a groin injury, and it remains to be seen if he will return to action against the Panthers on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Matthew Bergeron (OL) | Questionable | Hand - 02 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Bergeron is fighting off a hand injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Panthers on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
JD Bertrand (LB) | Questionable | Eye - 02 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Bertrand is managing an eye injury, and it is unknown if he will take the field for next game. |
|||||
Lorenzo Carter (LB) | Questionable | Oblique - 02 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Carter is battling an oblique injury, and it is unknown if he will take the field against the Panthers on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Zach Harrison (DL) | Questionable | Achilles - 02 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Harrison is dealing with a achilles injury, and it is undetermined if he will face the Panthers on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Nate Landman (LB) | Questionable | Shoulder - 02 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Landman is dealing with a shoulder injury, and it is uncertain if he will suit up against Panthers on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Drake London (WR) | Questionable | Knee - 02 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
London is bothered with a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will dress against the Panthers on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Darnell Mooney (WR) | Questionable | Shoulder - 02 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Mooney is hampered with a shoulder injury, and it is unclear if he will be active for next game. |
|||||
David Onyemata (DL) | Questionable | Shoulder - 02 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Onyemata is dealing with a shoulder injury, and it remains to be seen if he will participate against the Panthers on Sunday, January 5th. |
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
John Bates (TE) | Questionable | Shoulder - 24 / 01 / 25 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Bates is bothered by a shoulder injury, and it remains to be seen if he will be active against the Eagles on Sunday, January 26th. |
|||||
Jeff Driskel (QB) | Questionable | Illness - 24 / 01 / 25 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Driskel is ailing from illness, and his status against the Eagles on Sunday, January 26th is unknown. |
|||||
Frankie Luvu (LB) | Questionable | Shoulder - 24 / 01 / 25 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Luvu is dealing with a shoulder injury, and it is unclear if he will take the field against the Eagles on Sunday, January 26th. |
|||||
Zach Ertz (TE) | Questionable | Ribs - 22 / 01 / 25 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Ertz is managing a rib injury, and it is unknown if he will take the field against the Eagles on Sunday, January 26th. |
|||||
Clelin Ferrell (DE) | Questionable | Knee - 22 / 01 / 25 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Ferrell is battling a knee injury, and it remains to be seen if he will return to action against the Eagles on Sunday, January 26th. |
|||||
Javontae Jean-Baptiste (DE) | Questionable | Shoulder - 22 / 01 / 25 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Jean-Baptiste is hampered by a shoulder injury, and it is up in the air if he will take the field against the Eagles on Sunday, January 26th. |
|||||
Daron Payne (DT) | Out Sun | Knee - 22 / 01 / 25 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Payne is battling a knee injury, and he is not expected to feature in lineup against the Eagles on Sunday. |
|||||
Bobby Wagner (LB) | Questionable | Ankle - 22 / 01 / 25 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Wagner is managing an ankle injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Eagles on Sunday, January 26th. |
|||||
Olamide Zaccheaus (WR) | Questionable | Hip - 22 / 01 / 25 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Zaccheaus is bothered by a hip injury, and it is unclear if he will take the field against the Eagles on Sunday, January 26th. |
|||||
Sam Cosmi (G) | out of season | Knee - 19 / 01 / 25 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Cosmi has been sidelined due to ACL injury, and he is likely to miss the remainder of the season. |
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Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 24 Dec 1:53pm - - O +47.5 -110 Closing 30 Dec 3:53am - - U +44.5 -130 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Falcons Team Leaders
Touchdowns 9
Rushing 644
Passing 3508
Receiving 100
Sacks 6
Interceptions 4
Touchdowns 8
Rushing 799
Passing 364
Receiving 66
Sacks 10.5
Interceptions 2
Touchdowns Rushing Passing Did not qualify Receiving Sacks Interceptions Touchdowns 2
Rushing 129
Passing 23
Receiving 18
Sacks 3.5
Interceptions 2
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Commanders Team Leaders
Touchdowns 9
Rushing 644
Passing 3508
Receiving 100
Sacks 6
Interceptions 4
Touchdowns 8
Rushing 799
Passing 364
Receiving 66
Sacks 10.5
Interceptions 2
Touchdowns Rushing Passing Did not qualify Receiving Sacks Interceptions Touchdowns 2
Rushing 129
Passing 23
Receiving 18
Sacks 3.5
Interceptions 2
-
Weather
temp 58 condition cloudy wind Southeast 10mph -
Injuries
Brandon Dorlus (DT)
Questionable Abdominal - 03 / 01 / 25Dee Alford (CB)
Questionable Groin - 02 / 01 / 25Matthew Bergeron (OL)
Questionable Hand - 02 / 01 / 25JD Bertrand (LB)
Questionable Eye - 02 / 01 / 25Lorenzo Carter (LB)
Questionable Oblique - 02 / 01 / 25Zach Harrison (DL)
Questionable Achilles - 02 / 01 / 25Nate Landman (LB)
Questionable Shoulder - 02 / 01 / 25Drake London (WR)
Questionable Knee - 02 / 01 / 25Darnell Mooney (WR)
Questionable Shoulder - 02 / 01 / 25David Onyemata (DL)
Questionable Shoulder - 02 / 01 / 25John Bates (TE)
Questionable Shoulder - 24 / 01 / 25Jeff Driskel (QB)
Questionable Illness - 24 / 01 / 25Frankie Luvu (LB)
Questionable Shoulder - 24 / 01 / 25Zach Ertz (TE)
Questionable Ribs - 22 / 01 / 25Clelin Ferrell (DE)
Questionable Knee - 22 / 01 / 25Javontae Jean-Baptiste (DE)
Questionable Shoulder - 22 / 01 / 25Daron Payne (DT)
Out Sun Knee - 22 / 01 / 25Bobby Wagner (LB)
Questionable Ankle - 22 / 01 / 25Olamide Zaccheaus (WR)
Questionable Hip - 22 / 01 / 25Sam Cosmi (G)
out of season Knee - 19 / 01 / 25Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Brandon Dorlus (DT) Questionable Abdominal - 03 / 01 / 25 0-1 1-0 + - Dorlus is managing an abdominal injury, and it remains to be seen if he will take the field for next match.
Dee Alford (CB) Questionable Groin - 02 / 01 / 25 0-1 1-0 + - Alford is dealing with a groin injury, and it remains to be seen if he will return to action against the Panthers on Sunday, January 5th.
Matthew Bergeron (OL) Questionable Hand - 02 / 01 / 25 0-1 1-0 + - Bergeron is fighting off a hand injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Panthers on Sunday, January 5th.
JD Bertrand (LB) Questionable Eye - 02 / 01 / 25 0-1 1-0 + - Bertrand is managing an eye injury, and it is unknown if he will take the field for next game.
Lorenzo Carter (LB) Questionable Oblique - 02 / 01 / 25 0-1 1-0 + - Carter is battling an oblique injury, and it is unknown if he will take the field against the Panthers on Sunday, January 5th.
Zach Harrison (DL) Questionable Achilles - 02 / 01 / 25 0-1 1-0 + - Harrison is dealing with a achilles injury, and it is undetermined if he will face the Panthers on Sunday, January 5th.
Nate Landman (LB) Questionable Shoulder - 02 / 01 / 25 0-1 1-0 + - Landman is dealing with a shoulder injury, and it is uncertain if he will suit up against Panthers on Sunday, January 5th.
Drake London (WR) Questionable Knee - 02 / 01 / 25 0-1 1-0 + - London is bothered with a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will dress against the Panthers on Sunday, January 5th.
Darnell Mooney (WR) Questionable Shoulder - 02 / 01 / 25 0-1 1-0 + - Mooney is hampered with a shoulder injury, and it is unclear if he will be active for next game.
David Onyemata (DL) Questionable Shoulder - 02 / 01 / 25 0-1 1-0 + - Onyemata is dealing with a shoulder injury, and it remains to be seen if he will participate against the Panthers on Sunday, January 5th.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes John Bates (TE) Questionable Shoulder - 24 / 01 / 25 1-0 1-0 + - Bates is bothered by a shoulder injury, and it remains to be seen if he will be active against the Eagles on Sunday, January 26th.
Jeff Driskel (QB) Questionable Illness - 24 / 01 / 25 1-0 1-0 + - Driskel is ailing from illness, and his status against the Eagles on Sunday, January 26th is unknown.
Frankie Luvu (LB) Questionable Shoulder - 24 / 01 / 25 1-0 1-0 + - Luvu is dealing with a shoulder injury, and it is unclear if he will take the field against the Eagles on Sunday, January 26th.
Zach Ertz (TE) Questionable Ribs - 22 / 01 / 25 1-0 1-0 + - Ertz is managing a rib injury, and it is unknown if he will take the field against the Eagles on Sunday, January 26th.
Clelin Ferrell (DE) Questionable Knee - 22 / 01 / 25 1-0 1-0 + - Ferrell is battling a knee injury, and it remains to be seen if he will return to action against the Eagles on Sunday, January 26th.
Javontae Jean-Baptiste (DE) Questionable Shoulder - 22 / 01 / 25 1-0 1-0 + - Jean-Baptiste is hampered by a shoulder injury, and it is up in the air if he will take the field against the Eagles on Sunday, January 26th.
Daron Payne (DT) Out Sun Knee - 22 / 01 / 25 1-0 1-0 + - Payne is battling a knee injury, and he is not expected to feature in lineup against the Eagles on Sunday.
Bobby Wagner (LB) Questionable Ankle - 22 / 01 / 25 1-0 1-0 + - Wagner is managing an ankle injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Eagles on Sunday, January 26th.
Olamide Zaccheaus (WR) Questionable Hip - 22 / 01 / 25 1-0 1-0 + - Zaccheaus is bothered by a hip injury, and it is unclear if he will take the field against the Eagles on Sunday, January 26th.
Sam Cosmi (G) out of season Knee - 19 / 01 / 25 2-0 1-1 + - Cosmi has been sidelined due to ACL injury, and he is likely to miss the remainder of the season.