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These teams are in a three-team race in the NFC South, and are currently both chasing the New Orleans Saints. The Panthers and Falcons are still stocked with talent and have the capability to make the postseason, but can each be inconsistent. This will be an interesting matchup and one Carolina really needs to pick up at home.
Kickoff for this regular season Week 9 game is set for Sunday, November 5, 2017, at 1 p.m. ET at Bank of America Stadium.
Opening NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Atlanta Falcons +1.5
Carolina Panthers -1.5
Over/Under 44
Odds Analysis
The Panthers are slight favorites due to their home field advantage, although the oddsmakers believe the Falcons have a slightly more talented team. It’s an intriguing line and thus far Carolina has gotten the majority of the action.
The scoring total is lower than it may have been expected to be at the start of the year. The Falcons’ offense was great last season but is in a funk, while the Panthers have put together some great defensive performances this season.
Injury Report
Devonta Freeman - The Falcons’ running back is dealing with a minor shoulder injury. He played in Sunday’s win over the Jets but only carried the ball 12 times and caught one pass. His usage is generally higher, but Atlanta also has Tevin Coleman it can use in the backfield, and if Freeman was less than 100 percent that move would make sense. Freeman’s injury is something to watch, although it shouldn’t keep him out of this game.
Luke Kuechly -- The Panthers’ star middle linebacker missed some time with another concussion but passed the protocol and was back in the lineup on Sunday against Tampa Bay. He is a star when on the field and helps the entire defense. Kuechly should be good to go for this one.
Ryan Kalil -- The Panthers center was inactive last time out with a neck injury. It has been bothering him for several weeks and it remains to be seen if he can get back in time for this one. Kalil is one of the team’s better offensive linemen.
Matchup to Watch
Matt Ryan vs. Cam Newton -- The quarterbacks won’t be on the field at the same time, but the one that plays better should lead his team to victory. Newton was the 2015 MVP and Ryan won the award last year but both have struggled this season.
Newton has completed 148-of-231 passes for 1,687 yards with nine touchdowns on the year but has thrown 10 interceptions. Newton is still a load when he tucks the ball and runs it but if the Falcons can keep him in the pocket, they should have success.
Ryan has completed 135-of-203 passes for 1,590 yards with seven touchdowns and six interceptions. He had the offense humming last season and the same players are back, but it’s not the same. The Falcons have struggled without play-caller Kyle Shanahan, who moved on to take over the 49ers this offseason.
Free ATS Pick
This is a hard one to dissect because both teams have been inconsistent. However, the Falcons have more balance on offense and should be good enough defensively. Atlanta is the better team and will overcome the road game to win this game outright.
The Falcons have rarely looked like the NFC champions they were a year ago but will show enough glimpses of that in this one. Take the “over” on the scoring total.
NFL Odds: Falcons 27, Panthers 24
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