Seahawks vs. Falcons Point Spread: NFL Predictions, Week 8 Odds
The Seattle Seahawks might catch a big break this Sunday when they visit Atlanta as the Falcons could be without starting quarterback Matt Ryan.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
You aren’t supposed to use the word “lock” when it comes to sports betting because there really isn’t such a thing. So we’ll say this when it comes to Sunday’s Seahawks at Falcons game: It’s “all but a lock” that it will be the last as Atlanta head coach for Dan Quinn if his team loses. Might be even if it wins.
There’s no question that Quinn is on the hottest seat in the NFL with his team one of the biggest disappointments at 1-6. Frankly, this franchise hasn’t been the same since blowing that 28-3 late third-quarter lead against New England in Super Bowl LI. Way too much talent for this team to be 1-6. Injuries haven’t helped, but every team deals with injuries. Reports are that owner Arthur Blank will make a change during Atlanta’s Week 9 bye. Maybe a blowout victory here saves Quinn for now.
No such job security worries for Seattle’s Pete Carroll with his team at 5-2. It’s the first meeting between these clubs since Week 11 of 2017 when Atlanta was a 34-31 upset winner in Seattle on a Monday night. Matt Ryan threw for two touchdowns and the Falcons had a defensive score. Seattle’s 52-yard field-goal attempt with two seconds left came up short. Russell Wilson threw two TD passes and rushed for another.
The road team is 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings. The over is 7-1 in the previous eight.
Seattle Seahawks
It’s one of those tough 10 a.m. Pacific time kickoffs for Seattle. It had a three-game winning streak snapped on Sunday in a 30-16 home upset loss to Baltimore. Wilson, who had become the favourite to win NFL MVP, threw his first interception of the season – it was returned 67 yards for a touchdown — and completed fewer than 50 per cent of his passes. Wilson was outplayed by counterpart Lamar Jackson. The Seahawks had just three second-half points and turned it over twice. Seattle played without safety Bradley McDougald (back), defensive end Ziggy Ansah (ankle) and left tackle Duane Brown (biceps).
Atlanta Falcons
This spread would grow if the Falcons are without Ryan, the 2016 NFL MVP. He had tied an NFL record by throwing for at least 300 yards in each of his first six games of a season but couldn’t get to a historic seventh in a row in Sunday’s 37-10 loss to the Rams as Ryan left with an ankle injury. Ryan’s right leg bent awkwardly as he was sacked by Aaron Donald in the fourth quarter, causing a fumble that Donald recovered. Ryan was sacked five times. He reportedly is dealing with a sprained right ankle. Journeyman Matt Schaub would start if Ryan can’t go. Seattle already has two games where it has seen backup quarterbacks this season. Don’t be surprised if the Falcons make a trade this week ahead of the Oct. 29 trade deadline. They reportedly are shopping linebacker and 2015 first-round pick Vic Beasley with this season already lost. He led the NFL with 15.5 sacks in 2016 but hasn’t been the same since.
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