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Ryan Raeburn
Falcons vs. Packers Point Spread: NFL Week 14 Odds, Prediction
The Atlanta Falcons are dead last in NFC North, but they are actually still alive in the playoff hunt. The Packers, meanwhile, are in the very same boat. However, what the Pack have going for them, is that this will be their first game under new leadership after firing head coach Mike McCarthy earlier this week. With just four wins each, the loser of this game will have a lost season – plain and simple.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Packers are favoured by -6 in this game and to their credit, they do play well at home. Despite their horrifying loss at Lambeau last weekend to Arizona, they are 4-1-1 on home turf.
The Falcons are a bit of a different story. They are 3-4-0 on the road and have lost four games straight heading into this Sunday. It’s been an epic fall from grace just two years removed from a Super Bowl appearance, but the black birds look like a mere shell of the team they once were. They are 1-4 against the spread (ATS) in their last five games on grass and 0-5 with the spread against a team with a losing record.
Atlanta Falcons
Matt Ryan has had targets to work with and Tevin Coleman and Ito Smith have picked up the pace since the injury to Devonta Freeman. In other words, while they haven’t been great, the offence hasn’t really been the problem. Atlanta is 10th in total yards and yards per game and 14th in points per game.
Meanwhile, their defence is currently fifth in the league allowing 27.8 points per game. To win this game, Atlanta will need to shut down Green Bay’s surprising run attack. It’s easier said than done, when your D is also allowing 130.7 yards per night on the ground.
Green Bay Packers
As mentioned, the run game will be key. Aaron Jones has done a great job picking up the slack in Green Bay and asserting a rush game – something that has been missing at Lambeau for a very long time.
On defence, Green Bay has been as expected. They’ve been good, but not great. They’re 20th in the league in yards allowed per game with 351.8. However, against losing teams, the Packers have gone 12-3 in the last 15 with the over. Just a little something to keep in mind.
