Falcons vs. Seahawks Point Spread: NFL Week 3 Odds, Prediction
A spirited comeback bid fell just short in the Falcons’ 31-27 loss to Los Angeles last week, which also marked the team’s third straight road defeat. The Seahawks failed to maintain the momentum gained from their season-opening win over Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos in Week 1, as they stumbled to a lopsided 27-7 loss in San Francisco last weekend.
The Falcons have steadily gained ground since opening as 3-point underdogs, leaving Sunday’s contest pegged as a pick ‘em on the NFL Week 3 odds. However, it is the Seahawks that has claimed the support of 58% of sports bettors. There has also been plenty of movement on the total. It opened at 42.5 before dipping to 42, with the UNDER backed by 81% of the betting action.
NFL Week 3 Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Sunday afternoon’s matchup at Lumen Field marks the first meeting between these teams since September 2020, and the Falcons’ first visit to Seattle in five years. The Seahawks have earned outright wins in four of six dates with Atlanta, capped by a decisive 38-25 road victory two years ago. However, it is the Falcons who have rewarded loyal sports bettors with against the spread on four occasions during that stretch. Recent dates between these teams have tended towards high scoring, with the total reaching 47 or higher I each of their past five, extending a steady 10-3-0 run for the OVER in totals betting.
Considering how little was expected from them in the wake of veteran quarterback Matt Ryan’s departure, the Falcons have enjoyed a respectable start. Their two losses to start the campaign have come by a combined margin of just five points, leaving them unbeaten against the spread. The Seahawks were big underdogs in their first two outings. And after capitalizing on Broncos mistakes in their Week 1 upset win, they came crashing back to Earth with last week’s 27-7 loss to the 49ers as 8.5-point underdogs. However, even with last week’s debacle, the Seahawks have managed to cover in five of their past eight, including three of their past four home dates.
Atlanta Falcons
Marcus Mariota has produced mixed results over his first two outings as the Falcons’ starting pivot. It would be tough to fault the veteran for the team’s fourth-quarter collapse in their Week 1 loss to New Orleans. Indeed, the veteran was steady, if not spectacular, while compiling 215 passing yards while adding 72 rushing yards and one scoring run. However, it took almost three full quarters for Mariota to spark the offense last week in Los Angeles, and the team’s ill-fated comeback bid eventually fell short due after Mariota was picked off for the second time in the game. On a positive note, Mariota has quickly developed chemistry with receiver Drake London. The eighth overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft has compiled a team-leading 160 receiving yards and one scoring catch to date to solidify his position as a +370 favourite to claim NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honours.
Seattle Seahawks
Geno Smith raised the hopes of Seahawks fans with an impressive two-touchdown performance in his debut as Seattle’s starting quarterback in Week 1. However, the journeyman pivot took a step back in last week’s loss to the Niners, mustering just 198 passing yards for no scores and one pick. The Seahawks ground game fared even worse, generating just 36 total yards and no scores, and now ranks dead last in the NFL. Indeed, the Seahawks’ only points last week came from a blocked field goal attempt that Mike Jackson returned 86 yards for a touchdown. Overall, the Seattle offence has not scored since the first half of their Week 1 win over Denver, a drought that now stands at 93 minutes and 10 seconds. Add to that the long list of injuries that have plagued both the offensive line and the defence, including center Austin Blythe, guard Damien Lewis, safety Quandre Diggs, and linebacker Cody Barton, and it could be another long day for the Dirty Birds.
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