Of all of the undefeated teams in the NFL, none are more intriguing right now than the Atlanta Falcons. They haven't played the greatest schedule on the face of the earth yet, and we probably aren't going to get many answers this week about just how good they are either when they take on the Washington Redskins.
WHEN THE ATLANTA FALCONS HAVE THE BALL
It was only a few weeks ago that Devonta Freeman was essentially just a reserve tailback splitting time with Tevin Coleman. Coleman has since been injured, and no one has been able to stop Freeman. All of a sudden in four games, the FSU product has 252 yards on the ground and 196 more as a receiver with a total of seven touchdowns.
There's reason to be concerned, though. Freeman is averaging the same 3.8 yards per carry he was good for last year, and that just isn't good enough for most backs in the NFL.
Furthermore, we aren't impressed with the Atlanta passing game outside of Julio Jones, who might be the best receiver in the league. Roddy White has still been nowhere to be found, and with Jacob Tamme still injured, there is no production out of the tight end spot either.
The Texans, for all of their flaws in last week's 48-21 loss, did a nice job of slowing down Jones, and if not for an offense which kept shooting itself in the foot, the defensive numbers wouldn't have looked quite so bad. The Redskins are probably going to take the same strategy of finding ways to slow down Jones, and that's when we are going to question just how good these Falcons really are. Live bettors should be ready for some disappointing drives if Freeman can't average better than four yards per carry.
WHEN THE WASHINGTON REDSKINS HAVE THE BALL
The Redskins have a lot of problems with their skill position players. We suspect that DeSean Jackson will return from his hamstring injury this week after sitting out a few games. Pierre Garcon did finish last week's game, but he has been limited early this week thanks to an ankle problem. Jordan Reed suffered a concussion as well last week.
Clearly, if the Washington offense is going to be revolving around Kirk Cousins, Jamison Crowder, Ryan Grant, Rashad Ross and Derek Carrier, it's going to be a huge advantage to the Atlanta defense in live betting. These Falcons have had success really pinning their ears back and getting aggressive against lesser offenses, and this certainly is another one of these teams which meets the mold of a lesser 'O'.
TREND TO TRACK
No team in the NFL has had a better go of it on a consistent basis for bettors thus far this year than has Atlanta. The Falcons have not only gone 4-0 SU and ATS, but they have been killing the spread by an increasing margin every week, starting at +5 against Philadelphia and continuing with +6 against the Giants, +12 against the Cowboys and most recently, +23 against the Texans.
Clearly, all of that isn't going to continue, and it should be noted that this is the first time in over two calendar years that Atlanta is laying more than a touchdown. Good fortune can't possibly stay on the side of the Falcons forever.
The NFL betting lines and props for this Sunday game were first available at BookMaker Sportsbook. The Atlanta Falcons were lined at -8 alongside a total of 47. Live wagering during commercials offers adjusted moneylines, totals and spreads. Log in and start gambling during the game now!
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