New York Giants vs. Atlanta Falcons: NFL Week 15 Picks Against the Spread

New York Giants at Atlanta Falcons
Sunday, 12/16/12, 1:00 PM EST, TV: FOX
Opening Point Spread: Atlanta -1
Current Betting Line: Atlanta -2
Opening Total: 52
Current Total: 50.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Seahawks vs. Falcons NFL Preview — Atlanta Falcons WR Roddy White will need to have a big game on Sunday

New York has alternated wins and losses over its last four games, as it comes off a 52-27 triumph over the New Orleans Saints as four-point home favorites, while going OVER the total for the first time in five contests. “The Giants are probably the best in the league,” commented Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. “For four quarters, they rush the passer as well as anybody in the league.” The front four can dominate a game, which is represented in accounting for 17 of the team’s 31 sacks. New York is 2-0-1 ATS as an underdog this season, with the UNDER going 3-0 in that situation.

The Giants need to win this game to stay at least a game ahead in the NFC East division race over the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins, which will make them an attractive side on the pro football odds page. New York can only hope for rookie running back David Wilson to have another outstanding game, as he finished with a franchise record 327 all-purpose yards last week. Head coach Tom Coughlin is 14-6 against NFC South opponents since taking over in the Big Apple in 2004.

Atlanta suffered its second loss of the 2012 NFL regular season, suffering a 30-20 setback to the Carolina Panthers as three-point road favorites, as it lost the statistical battle by a triple-digit margin for a second consecutive week. “There are a lot of things that are going to happen over the next three weeks that affect us,” commented Falcons head coach Mike Smith. The Falcons are still in the driver’s seat in gaining the No. 1 seed in the upcoming NFC playoffs, as they look to gain revenge from last year’s humiliating 24-2 loss to the Giants in last year’s postseason. Atlanta is 2-0 ATS as a home favorite of three or fewer points this season, which can’t be ignored when making your NFL picks against the spread in Week 15.

The Falcons have won 32 of 36 home games with Ryan under center, as they’ll aim for their 11th consecutive victory at the Georgia Dome. He will likely target No. 1 wide receiver Roddy White, who is averaging 107.5 receiving yards and has seven touchdowns in his last 10 games in front of the home fans.