The Falcons and Panthers battled less than two weeks ago in one of the craziest games I’ve ever seen. It almost felt like neither team actually wanted to win the contest. Atlanta squandered a late lead thanks to an improbable hail mary from P.J. Walker to D.J. Moore. Carolina’s kicker Eddy Pineiro missed the extra point to send the game to overtime, then missed a field goal in overtime, giving the Falcons a chance to win, which they did.
Now, the pair will face off in the teams’ only primetime game of the year on Thursday Night Football, with the Falcons opening as less than three-point road favorites. However, that line has now reached a field goal difference. Let’s check out the odds and some predictions.
All NFL betting lines and odds are from FanDuel Sportsbook as of Tuesday
| Spread | Total | Moneyline | |
| Falcons | -3 (-110) | O43.5(-110) | -158 |
| Panthers | +3 (-110) | U43.5(-110) | +134 |
The Panthers battled against the Falcons in Week 8 but showed who they really are against the Bengals in Week 9. Walker is getting the nod to start again, but it shouldn’t matter. Carolina is a terrible team. They can’t stop the run, which was one of their strengths at the beginning of the season. Over the Panthers’ last three games, they rank 24th in yards per carry allowed — 4.9 yards per rush. Bad news. The Falcons are a dominant rushing team, averaging 4.8 yards per carry.
It should be a season sweep for the Falcons. Again, the Panthers are just a bad football team. Carolina ranks dead last on third down conversions (26.67%), while Atlanta ranks sixth in the same metric (45%). The Dirty Birds should easily take this one.
I believe Arthur Smith learned his lesson against the Chargers not to go away from the run game. Marcus Mariota has proven time and time again this season that if you put the ball in his hands at a critical juncture in the game, he’ll make you regret it. I think Atlanta dominates this one, controlling the game with their rushing attack.
Prediction: Falcons -3
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Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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