A cushy part of the schedule couldn’t have come at a better time for the Atlanta Falcons, as they continue to battle for the top spot in the NFC South. After dismantling the Rams last weekend, the Falcons look to keep at least a share of the division lead when they battle the equally inept San Francisco 49ers in a Week 15 contest. For years the Falcons fought with those two clubs in the old NFC West, and now it’s time for redemption on their way to what could be a division title.
This contest in Week 15 of the regular season will go down Sunday, December 18, 2016, at 4:05 p.m. ET at Georgia Dome.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
San Francisco 49ers +12.5
Atlanta Falcons -12.5
Over/Under 51.5
Odds Analysis
The 49ers played as the favored team for the only the second time this season last week and even that wasn’t enough to spark them. San Francisco has been one of the worst bets in the NFL with a 3-10 ATS record and twice they played as a double-digit dog on the road and lost. They’ll face the same circumstances against the Falcons, opening as a 13-point pup. The Niners had plenty of action in their favor at the opening, forcing the line to drop a half-point. The total opened as the highest on the board and has value with the Falcons high-scoring offense licking its chops.
Injury Report
Torrey Smith – The Niners passing attack ranks last in the NFL and will be without one of its top weapons as Smith suffered a concussion last weekend. The team could also be without tight end Vance McDonald, who suffered a shoulder injury, further dampening the Niners ability to do anything through the air.
Daniel Kilgore – The loss of their starting center forced the Niners to alter their play calling in the second half of Sunday’s overtime loss to the Jets. Kilgore’s departure was a big reason why the team punted five times and turned the ball over on downs another while earning just three first downs in six offensive possessions.
Matchup to Watch
The Falcons knew they had something special when they selected Vic Beasley in the first round of the 2015 draft. A gifted pass rusher, Beasley had a solid rookie season. But Dan Quinn, being the defensive guru that he is, expected more from his outside linebacker. The team surrounded Beasley with plenty of defensive help this season and the now second-year player is having a season that will earn him some consideration for Defensive Player of the Year.
Beasley has been a disruptive force all year and he will be the featured performer in Jared Goff’s nightmares this week. Beasley sacked the Rams’ No 1 overall pick three times on Sunday, giving him a share of the NFL lead with 13.5. He also forced a fumble on one of his sacks, which he picked up and returned for a touchdown, giving the Falcons five defensive touchdowns this season. Atlanta has the league’s highest scoring offense and the defense has contributed as well, making the Falcons a difficult team to play against.
Free ATS Pick
The 49ers had their best chance to snap their losing streak against the Jets and they did what they’ve done all season: they gave the game away with a lousy defensive effort after the offense failed to build on a quick two-touchdown lead. The overtime loss to the Jets may have been the worst in a season that has had plenty. Going against a team that looked as bad as an NFL team could look the previous week, a team that made the switch at quarterback and making a cross-country trip to a game that meant nothing in the standings, the 49ers still found a way to lose.
I don’t think the Niners have it in them to win another game this season after that sorry effort. Todd Bowles made the decision to replace his struggling starting quarterback and the Jets had a little life, rallying behind Bryce Petty. The way Colin Kaepernick has played, Chip Kelly should have the balls to pull the plug on him. The Niners’ season went in the tank when Kaepernick started protesting the national anthem. His teammates will back him publicly, but the fact is he fractured the team and divided the locker room. Until Kaep is a former San Francisco 49er the team will continue to struggle. And it’s the Falcons who do the pummeling this week.
NFL Odds: Falcons 38, 49ers 20
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