How will Carolina quarterback Sam Darnold respond after being benched and called out by head coach Matt Rhule last week?
After a 3-0 start to the season the Panthers fell off a cliff and now sit at 3-4 on the year. Things aren’t about to get any easier for Carolina, as they’re heading to Atlanta to face a 3-3 Falcons team that has won two straight games and three of their last four.
Atlanta is a 3-point favourite to win on the NFL odds, with a total of 46.0.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
These teams split the season series last year, with the road team winning each game by about a touchdown. The total has gone Under in four of the last five meetings. Early Sports Interaction bettors are heavily siding with the Falcons, directing 71 per cent of bets Atlanta’s way. The total is a more even split, with a slight 54 per cent majority taking the Under.
Carolina’s four-game losing streak has sparked rumours about a major trade for quarterback Deshaun Watson, although it appears Miami is the front runner in that case. The bad streaks continue for the Panthers, as they have failed to cover in four straight games after starting the season 3-0 against the spread. This team trends toward the Under, as five of their seven games this season and four of their last five on the road have gone below the number.
Atlanta has looked good over their last few stretch of games, but it’s worth noting they’re just 1-7 straight up in their eight games against NFC teams. They’re an even 3-3 ATS for the season, although they’ve failed to cover in two of three home games. The total has gone Over in four of the Falcons’ last five games.
Carolina Panthers
It will be interesting to see how Sam Darnold responds after getting called out by head coach Matt Rhule following Carolina’s 25-3 loss to the Giants. The Panthers’ three points and 173 total yards are team lows since Rhule took over last season. Darnold was yanked from the game in the fourth quarter after going 16-for-25 with just 111 passing yards, no touchdowns and an interception. Despite the poor performance, Rhule said Darnold will start this week and continue to be the No. 1 QB going forward.
It’s clear Carolina’s offence is lost without Christian McCaffrey. The star running back has been on injured reserve since suffering a hamstring injury in Week 3 and he’ll miss at least one more game. Rookie Chuba Hubbard has started in McCaffrey’s place. Hubbard has picked up 304 rushing yards and a TD on the year and also added another 110 receiving yards.
Atlanta Falcons
It was Atlanta’s offence that got the job done in last week’s 30-28 win in Miami. Matt Ryan was 25-for-40 passing, with two touchdowns and an interception. Nearly half of Ryan’s 336 passing yards – 136 – went to rookie tight end Kyle Pitts, who has 282 receiving yards and a touchdown in his last two games. The Falcons trailed 7-0 after the first quarter before putting up 20 straight points.
The biggest issue for Atlanta right now appears to be the defence. The Falcons gave up 413 yards total yards and allowed Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa to throw a career-high four touchdowns. A big part of those struggles is the banged up secondary, with Atlanta’s top three cornerbacks injured. Avery Williams has missed two straight games with a hamstring injury, while A.J. Terrell (concussion/neck) and Fabian Moreau (neck) both left early against the Dolphins. Safety Erik Harris (shoulder) was also forced to leave the game early last week.
NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Panthers vs. Falcons?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
---|---|---|---|
Opening 22 Oct 6:07am | CAR | -1.5 -110 | O +47.5 -110 |
Closing 31 Oct 4:56pm | CAR | -2.5 -105 | O +47 -101 |
- Regular Season
Panthers Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
6 |
Rushing |
612 |
Passing |
2527 |
Receiving |
93 |
Sacks |
11 |
Interceptions |
2 |
Touchdowns |
11 |
Rushing |
618 |
Passing |
3968 |
Receiving |
68 |
Sacks |
4.5 |
Interceptions |
3 |
- Regular Season
Falcons Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
6 |
Rushing |
612 |
Passing |
2527 |
Receiving |
93 |
Sacks |
11 |
Interceptions |
2 |
Touchdowns |
11 |
Rushing |
618 |
Passing |
3968 |
Receiving |
68 |
Sacks |
4.5 |
Interceptions |
3 |
Weather

temp | 58 |
condition | cloudy |
wind | Northwest 12mph |
Injuries
Derrick Brown (DT)
Robby Anderson (WR)
Yetur Gross-Matos (DE)
Terrace Marshall Jr. (WR)
Shi Smith (WR)
C.J. Henderson (CB)
Tommy Tremble (TE)
C.J. Henderson (CB)
Sean Chandler (S)
Darryl Johnson (DE)
Frank Darby (WR)
Qadree Ollison (RB)
Jason Spriggs (T)
Jonathan Bullard (DL)
Jaylinn Hawkins (S)
Hayden Hurst (TE)
Fabian Moreau (CB)
Richie Grant (S)
Feleipe Franks (QB)
Brandon Copeland (LB)
Injuries
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Derrick Brown (DT) | Ques Sun | Elbow - 06 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Brown is hindered by an elbow injury, and it is uncertain if he will play against the Buccaneers on Sunday. |
|||||
Robby Anderson (WR) | Ques Sun | Quadricep - 05 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Anderson is hindered by a quad injury, and it is unclear if he will partake in Sunday's matchup against the Buccaneers. |
|||||
Yetur Gross-Matos (DE) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 05 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Gross-Matoshas been moved to the IR/COVID-19 list, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date. |
|||||
Terrace Marshall Jr. (WR) | I-R | Foot - 05 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Marshall Jr. has ended up on the injured reserve list due to a foot injury. |
|||||
Shi Smith (WR) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 05 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Smith will miss an undetermined length of time after winding up on the COVID-19 list. |
|||||
C.J. Henderson (CB) | Ques Sun | Knee - 05 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Henderson is nursing a knee ailment, leaving his status for Sunday's clash with the Buccaneers in question. |
|||||
Tommy Tremble (TE) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 31 / 12 / 21 | 0-2 | 0-2 | + - |
Tremble will miss an undetermined length of time after winding up on the COVID-19 list. |
|||||
C.J. Henderson (CB) | Ques Sun | Shoulder - 31 / 12 / 21 | 0-2 | 0-2 | + - |
Henderson is bothered by a shoulder injury, and it is unclear if he will face the Saints on Sunday. |
|||||
Sean Chandler (S) | Doub Sun | Groin - 30 / 12 / 21 | 0-2 | 0-2 | + - |
Chandler sat out the last game with a groin injury, and it is unlikely that he will be available for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers. |
|||||
Darryl Johnson (DE) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 30 / 12 / 21 | 0-2 | 0-2 | + - |
Johnson has been assigned to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it has yet to be established when he can return. |
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Frank Darby (WR) | Ques Sun | Shoulder - 05 / 01 / 22 | 0-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Darby has a shoulder injury, and it is uncertain if he will be active against the Saints on Sunday. |
|||||
Qadree Ollison (RB) | Ques Sun | Quadricep - 02 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 0-2 | + - |
Ollison exited the last game with a quadriceps injury, and it is undecided if he will be active on Sunday versus the Saints. |
|||||
Jason Spriggs (T) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 30 / 12 / 21 | 0-1 | 0-2 | + - |
Spriggs will miss an undetermined length of time after winding up on the COVID-19 list. |
|||||
Jonathan Bullard (DL) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 29 / 12 / 21 | 0-1 | 0-2 | + - |
Bullard will miss an undetermined length of time after winding up on the COVID-19 list. |
|||||
Jaylinn Hawkins (S) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 29 / 12 / 21 | 0-1 | 0-2 | + - |
Hawkins has been added to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it has yet to be decided when he will return to action. |
|||||
Hayden Hurst (TE) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 29 / 12 / 21 | 0-1 | 0-2 | + - |
Hurst has been entered to the IR/COVID-19 list, leaving his availability moving forward unclear. |
|||||
Fabian Moreau (CB) | Prob Sun | Ribs - 29 / 12 / 21 | 0-1 | 0-2 | + - |
Moreau sat out the last game due to a rib injury, but it is likely that he will partake in Sunday's battle with the Saints. |
|||||
Richie Grant (S) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 28 / 12 / 21 | 0-1 | 0-2 | + - |
Grant will miss an undetermined length of time after winding up on the COVID-19 list. |
|||||
Feleipe Franks (QB) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 28 / 12 / 21 | 0-1 | 0-2 | + - |
Franks has been shifted to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it is unknown when he will return. |
|||||
Brandon Copeland (LB) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 27 / 12 / 21 | 0-1 | 0-2 | + - |
Copeland will miss an undetermined length of time after winding up on the COVID-19 list. |
-
CAROLINA PANTHERS
23 -
ATLANTA FALCONS
26
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 22 Oct 6:07am CAR -1.5 -110 O +47.5 -110 Closing 31 Oct 4:56pm CAR -2.5 -105 O +47 -101 -
- Regular Season
Panthers Team Leaders
Touchdowns 6
Rushing 612
Passing 2527
Receiving 93
Sacks 11
Interceptions 2
Touchdowns 11
Rushing 618
Passing 3968
Receiving 68
Sacks 4.5
Interceptions 3
-
- Regular Season
Falcons Team Leaders
Touchdowns 6
Rushing 612
Passing 2527
Receiving 93
Sacks 11
Interceptions 2
Touchdowns 11
Rushing 618
Passing 3968
Receiving 68
Sacks 4.5
Interceptions 3
-
Weather
temp 58 condition cloudy wind Northwest 12mph -
Injuries
Derrick Brown (DT)
Ques Sun Elbow - 06 / 01 / 22Robby Anderson (WR)
Ques Sun Quadricep - 05 / 01 / 22Yetur Gross-Matos (DE)
Out indefinitely Illness - 05 / 01 / 22Terrace Marshall Jr. (WR)
I-R Foot - 05 / 01 / 22Shi Smith (WR)
Out indefinitely Illness - 05 / 01 / 22C.J. Henderson (CB)
Ques Sun Knee - 05 / 01 / 22Tommy Tremble (TE)
Out indefinitely Illness - 31 / 12 / 21C.J. Henderson (CB)
Ques Sun Shoulder - 31 / 12 / 21Sean Chandler (S)
Doub Sun Groin - 30 / 12 / 21Darryl Johnson (DE)
Out indefinitely Illness - 30 / 12 / 21Frank Darby (WR)
Ques Sun Shoulder - 05 / 01 / 22Qadree Ollison (RB)
Ques Sun Quadricep - 02 / 01 / 22Jason Spriggs (T)
Out indefinitely Illness - 30 / 12 / 21Jonathan Bullard (DL)
Out indefinitely Illness - 29 / 12 / 21Jaylinn Hawkins (S)
Out indefinitely Illness - 29 / 12 / 21Hayden Hurst (TE)
Out indefinitely Illness - 29 / 12 / 21Fabian Moreau (CB)
Prob Sun Ribs - 29 / 12 / 21Richie Grant (S)
Out indefinitely Illness - 28 / 12 / 21Feleipe Franks (QB)
Out indefinitely Illness - 28 / 12 / 21Brandon Copeland (LB)
Out indefinitely Illness - 27 / 12 / 21Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Derrick Brown (DT) Ques Sun Elbow - 06 / 01 / 22 0-1 0-1 + - Brown is hindered by an elbow injury, and it is uncertain if he will play against the Buccaneers on Sunday.
Robby Anderson (WR) Ques Sun Quadricep - 05 / 01 / 22 0-1 0-1 + - Anderson is hindered by a quad injury, and it is unclear if he will partake in Sunday's matchup against the Buccaneers.
Yetur Gross-Matos (DE) Out indefinitely Illness - 05 / 01 / 22 0-1 0-1 + - Gross-Matoshas been moved to the IR/COVID-19 list, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date.
Terrace Marshall Jr. (WR) I-R Foot - 05 / 01 / 22 0-1 0-1 + - Marshall Jr. has ended up on the injured reserve list due to a foot injury.
Shi Smith (WR) Out indefinitely Illness - 05 / 01 / 22 0-1 0-1 + - Smith will miss an undetermined length of time after winding up on the COVID-19 list.
C.J. Henderson (CB) Ques Sun Knee - 05 / 01 / 22 0-1 0-1 + - Henderson is nursing a knee ailment, leaving his status for Sunday's clash with the Buccaneers in question.
Tommy Tremble (TE) Out indefinitely Illness - 31 / 12 / 21 0-2 0-2 + - Tremble will miss an undetermined length of time after winding up on the COVID-19 list.
C.J. Henderson (CB) Ques Sun Shoulder - 31 / 12 / 21 0-2 0-2 + - Henderson is bothered by a shoulder injury, and it is unclear if he will face the Saints on Sunday.
Sean Chandler (S) Doub Sun Groin - 30 / 12 / 21 0-2 0-2 + - Chandler sat out the last game with a groin injury, and it is unlikely that he will be available for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.
Darryl Johnson (DE) Out indefinitely Illness - 30 / 12 / 21 0-2 0-2 + - Johnson has been assigned to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it has yet to be established when he can return.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Frank Darby (WR) Ques Sun Shoulder - 05 / 01 / 22 0-0 0-1 + - Darby has a shoulder injury, and it is uncertain if he will be active against the Saints on Sunday.
Qadree Ollison (RB) Ques Sun Quadricep - 02 / 01 / 22 0-1 0-2 + - Ollison exited the last game with a quadriceps injury, and it is undecided if he will be active on Sunday versus the Saints.
Jason Spriggs (T) Out indefinitely Illness - 30 / 12 / 21 0-1 0-2 + - Spriggs will miss an undetermined length of time after winding up on the COVID-19 list.
Jonathan Bullard (DL) Out indefinitely Illness - 29 / 12 / 21 0-1 0-2 + - Bullard will miss an undetermined length of time after winding up on the COVID-19 list.
Jaylinn Hawkins (S) Out indefinitely Illness - 29 / 12 / 21 0-1 0-2 + - Hawkins has been added to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it has yet to be decided when he will return to action.
Hayden Hurst (TE) Out indefinitely Illness - 29 / 12 / 21 0-1 0-2 + - Hurst has been entered to the IR/COVID-19 list, leaving his availability moving forward unclear.
Fabian Moreau (CB) Prob Sun Ribs - 29 / 12 / 21 0-1 0-2 + - Moreau sat out the last game due to a rib injury, but it is likely that he will partake in Sunday's battle with the Saints.
Richie Grant (S) Out indefinitely Illness - 28 / 12 / 21 0-1 0-2 + - Grant will miss an undetermined length of time after winding up on the COVID-19 list.
Feleipe Franks (QB) Out indefinitely Illness - 28 / 12 / 21 0-1 0-2 + - Franks has been shifted to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it is unknown when he will return.
Brandon Copeland (LB) Out indefinitely Illness - 27 / 12 / 21 0-1 0-2 + - Copeland will miss an undetermined length of time after winding up on the COVID-19 list.