The Falcons are coming off one of the most impressive victories in recent memory and probably the best of Arthur Smith’s tenure in Atlanta. The 49ers were nearly touchdown road favorites and were superior in most facets of the rosters. Well, all the Falcons did was come out and run it down the Niners’ throats while forcing timely turnovers throughout the game. And once again, the Dirty Birds covered, making them one of eleven teams to start an NFL season 6-0 against the spread. This week, they’ll be traveling to Cinnciannti as nearly touchdown road underdogs against the Bengals.
All NFL betting lines and odds are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
| Spread | Total | Moneyline | |
| Falcons | +6.5 (-114) | O47.5(-110) | +220 |
| Bengals | -6.5 (-106) | U47.5(-110) | -270 |
The story of the 2022 Atlanta Falcons can be summarized with this line:Â Good Teams Win, Great Teams Cover
In the season opener, the team opened as 3.5-point underdogs to the Saints, but the public quickly bet that line up to 5.5 points. Easy money. In Week 2, the Falcons were even bigger underdogs against the Rams, who opened as 10.5-point favorites in Los Angeles. The Rams quickly jumped out to a 28-3 lead, but the Falcons fought back to cover. I definitely had to sweat that one out.
The following week, the Falcons stayed on the west coast. Seattle opened as 1.5-point home favorites at Lumen Field, Home of the 12th Man. Grady Jarrett and Richie Grant sealed the win with a third-down sack and fourth-down interception, giving the Falcons their third cover of the season. In Week 4, Cleveland opened as 2.5-point road favorites, but I still wasn’t fazed. The Falcons just decided to win outright for the second-straight week as underdogs.
Against the Bucs last week, Atlanta opened as 8.5-point underdogs, but the public quickly bet that all the way up to 10 points. I LOVE THAT LINE. Two scores? This scrappy Falcons bunch might not win this one, but they’ll undoubtedly fight. I would lay the points and even sprinkle some money line.
Last week, the Falcons hit. For two weeks in a row, I’ve doubled up on Atlanta covering and going under the total points. And I don’t see it changing anytime soon. Cincy’s passing attack is incredibly potent, and the Falcons will be down Casey Hayward and potentially more members of the secondary. That will be a big challenge for Dean Pees’ defense. Slowing down the three-headed monster of Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd isn’t an easy task.
However, the Bengals’ defense is susceptible to the run. And the Falcons have shown an ability to run the football on just about anyone, including the top rushing defense in football — the Niners. With D.J. Reader out for the week, Atlanta should be able to run at will. And that’ll always keep this one close. I’d be very shocked if the Falcons didn’t cover, but being without Casey Hayward worries me quite a bit. Regardless of nerves, you know where my money will be… ON THE BIRDS!
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Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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