Atlanta Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers: NFL Week 14 Predictions

Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers
Sunday, 12/9/12, 1:00 PM EST, TV: FOX
Opening Point Spread: Atlanta -3.5
Current Betting Line: Atlanta -3
Opening Total: 47
Current Total: 47.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Falcons Saints NFL Game Preview — The Atlanta Falcons have put up some strong offensive numbers against the Carolina Panthers recently

Atlanta hasn’t scored 30 or more points in its last five games, but it has come away with four wins in that span, including a 23-13 victory over the New Orleans Saints as 3.5-point home favorites last time out. The Falcons have already wrapped up the NFC South title, as they now turn their focus to accomplishing bigger things down the road. “We’ve won the division before, so it’s not that big if of a deal,” stated Falcons wide receiver Roddy White. Atlanta is 4-0-1 ATS on a grass field this year, which can’t be overlooked when making your pro football picks on Sunday.

The Falcons are 23-12 in the all-time regular season series against the Panthers, which could continue if quarterback Matt Ryan continues to have his way. He has thrown for 10 touchdowns and one interception in the last four meetings, while Atlanta has gone 30-1 when Ryan finishes wit ha plus-100 passer rating. One key factor to consider when looking over the pro football odds page is turnover margin, with Atlanta being plus-seven in that category, while Carolina is even at zero.

Carolina doesn’t have much to play for after returning home from splitting a two-game road trip, which included a 27-21 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs as 5.5-point road favorites last week. The Panthers have gone OVER the total in four consecutive contests, something that’s significant when finding that the last two meetings in this series have gone above the posted number of 48. Carolina is 1-5 ATS at home this season, while failing to cover its three tries when the total is 45.5 to 49 at Bank of America Stadium.

The Panthers have allowed 30 or more points in losing the last five meetings in this series, which places a lot of pressure on second-year quarterback Cam Newton, who has accounted for eight total touchdowns and no interceptions in his last three games. He was 15-of-24 for 215 yards and two touchdowns in the first meeting, while adding 86 rushing yards and a score.