Falcons vs. Panthers Point Spread: NFL Predictions, Week 11 Odds
The Atlanta Falcons pulled the season’s biggest upset in Week 10. Can they do it again this Sunday when they visit the NFC South rival Carolina Panthers?
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
No matchup of former NFL MVP-winning quarterbacks in this one. Matt Ryan is good to go for the Falcons, but Cam Newton is done for the season in Carolina. He suffered a Lisfranc foot injury in Week 2 and was officially put on injured reserve before Week 10.
It’s quite possible that the Panthers move on from Newton after this season as they could release him and only suffer a $2 million dead cap hit while saving $19 million or so in cap space. Carolina could also try and trade Newton, but with his recent shoulder and foot problems other teams might not bite. The Panthers have two young quarterbacks they like in Kyle Allen and rookie Will Grier.
It’s the first meeting between the teams, with Carolina visiting Atlanta in Week 14. The Falcons swept last season. It was 24-10 in Charlotte in Week 16. That was the Panthers’ seventh straight loss at the time as Newton was dealing with an injured shoulder. He didn’t play, Taylor Heinicke (in his first NFL start) and Allen did. Christian McCaffrey had 21 carries for 101 yards and 12 receptions for 77 yards to set an NFL record for receptions in a season by a running back. Ryan had 239 yards passing and threw touchdown passes to three different wide receivers.
The home team is 10-3 against the spread in the past 13 meetings. The under is 10-2-1 in those.
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta pulled off the upset of the season Sunday. The Falcons were on a six-game losing streak and 14-point underdogs in New Orleans, which was on a six-game winning streak, but won 26-9. It was the first time since 2001 that a team on a losing streak of at least six games beat a team on a winning streak of at least six games. Ryan returned after missing a game due to injury and threw for two touchdowns. Atlanta entered with a league-low seven sacks but took down Saints quarterback Drew Brees six times while holding that high-powered Saints offence without a touchdown. Running back Devonta Freeman (foot) and tight end Austin Hooper (knee) both left injured and the team was waiting on MRI results for both. Brian Hill would take over as the featured back if Freeman misses time. Atlanta is 1-4 ATS in its past five after a win.
Carolina Panthers
Carolina lost for the second time in the past three games Sunday, 24-16 in Green Bay on a snowy, windy day at Lambeau Field. McCaffrey was stopped just shy of the goal line as time expired. The MVP candidate still had 141 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown. He has 14 touchdowns on the season, tied for the most in the league and has scored at least one in eight of nine games. Allen threw for 307 yards but had two costly turnovers. Starting cornerback James Bradberry missed the game with a groin injury. The Panthers are 4-1 ATS in their past five after an ATS loss.
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