It begs the question of how big of a road bump the Atlanta Falcons hit in Week 14 when they lost to the Buccaneers at home, 29-25. They, Tampa Bay, and New Orleans are in a three-way fight for the division, so the loss hurt. At the same time, each is 6-7 and it’s still anybody’s playoff berth to earn. Speaking of the Saints, they handled the flailing Carolina Panthers 28-6, who look about as tame as kittens.

That the Falcons are only -3 favourites on the NFL odds says a lot about this team and the NFC South.

NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis

Week 15 concludes the regular season clashes between these division rivals in 2023. They opened their campaigns by playing each other in Georgia where the Falcons took the Week 1 game 24-10. Should the Panthers find a way to upset the visitors, it would be the fourth successive season in which the clubs split their contests 1-1.

This doesn’t seem like a game for which the over would be a smart bet. In Atlanta’s case, the over has emerged victorious five times in 13 games and only four times in 13 matches involving Carolina. The Panthers have the third-worst offence, scoring 15.2 points a tilt, whereas the Falcons put up only 19.3, good for 24^th in the NFL.

Now would be a good time to find winning ways on the road, where the Falcons are only 2-4 so far this season. Covering spreads would put some holiday smiles on the faces of betters too since Atlanta is only 4-9 in that respect.

As for Carolina, unless there is an over-under tackling prop involving LB Frankie Luvu (94 to his name this season), it’s unclear what a better would play, save perhaps the under for total points scored. The Panthers are 2-9-2 ATS and are hampered by the worst point differential in the NFL a -144.

Atlanta Falcons

When it comes to the NFC South, as previously stated, even defeats at home to the Buccaneers in Week 14 don’t mean that all hope is lost. Nevertheless, it was a big opportunity to claim some sort of command of the division and the Falcons were plucked.

For as mediocre as both sides have been this year, the 29-25 game was one of the more engaging contests on the Sunday slate (3-0 Vikings over Raiders, anyone?). The visiting Bucs held the lead for most of the match but the Falcons never wavered, fighting back every time it looked as though their rivals would pull away. Atlanta totalled 434 yards of offence, led by Desmond Ridder, who went 26-40, 347 yards, one TD, and one INT. Definitely one of his better outings. His TD run with less than four minutes to go was impressive, and put the Falcons up 25-22. Alas, Baker Mayfield led the Bucs down the field for a game-winning score.

Drake London was a huge factor, ensnaring 10 passes for 172 yards, and there was a Kyle Pitts sighting in the end zone (one score).

Carolina Panthers

Oh boy. These men are professionals, but one wonders how much more tape is necessary to study and draw any other conclusion from than the Panthers are a bad operation.

Even the New Orleans Saints, one of the most disappointing clubs in the league this season, looked decent against them, winning 28-6. To be fair, Carolina’s defence kept their side in the game for a little over three quarters. A blocked punt in the second quarter by the hosts made it a 14-3 game, but rather than spiral out of control, the Saints couldn’t move the ball much against a Carolina defensive line that came to play. New Orleans only tallied 207 yards and was a woeful 3-for-10 on third down.

The RBs had a nice day at the office, with Miles Sanders running for 74 yards and Chuba Hubbard 87.

Who Will Win Falcons vs. Panthers?

FALCONS

Away

24

PANTHERS

Home

17

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