New York Jets vs. Atlanta Falcons: Monday Night Football Betting Odds and Picks

New York Jets vs. Atlanta Falcons
Monday, 9/29/13, 8:30 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Atlanta -1.5
Current Betting Line: Atlanta -3
Opening Total: 48
Current Total: 48.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Falcons Packers NFC Playoff Game Preview — The Atlanta Falcons are focused on trying to avoid a three-game losing streak

New York has alternated wins and losses over its first four games this season, as it comes off a 38-13 setback to the Tennessee Titans as 3.5-point road underdogs Sept. 29, while going OVER the betting total for a second consecutive contest. The Jets know they have quite a challenge ahead in this matchup, considering the Falcons are 34-6 at home since drafting quarterback Matt Ryan, which is important to consider when making your NFL expert picks Monday night. New York is 2-7 SU and 3-6 ATS as underdogs of 3.5 to 9.5 points the last two-plus seasons.

The Jets need quarterback Geno Smith to take better care of the football, but he’s also racked up 17 completions of 20-plus yards, which is the most in franchise history since 1972 in the first four games of a season. New York has a minus-10 turnover margin, which can’t be ignored when looking over the pro football odds page. There’s no question that the team must improve upon its field position numbers, as it has started drives on average at the 21.8-yard line, while opponents get going at their 33.6.

Atlanta has lost back-to-back games despite winning the statistical battle, which includes a 30-23 defeat to the New England Patriots as three-point home favorites last Sunday. The Falcons are 6-4 all-time in this series, including a 10-7 win over the Jets in 2009 at Giants Stadium. It’s important to point out that last week’s loss marked the first time the franchise has lost consecutive games in the same season since 2009. Atlanta is 9-0 SU and 3-4-2 ATS as favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points over the last two-plus campaigns.

The Falcons have struggled on the defensive end this season, as they enter this affair giving up 26.0 points per game, which ranks 22nd in football. Atlanta is also not getting after opposing quarterbacks as often—registering just seven sacks thus far. On the other side of the football, the team will be playing without the services of running back Steven Jackson again, who continues to be bothered by a hamstring issue.