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?