Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers NFL Lines & Betting

Written by Jimmy Boyd on November 12, 2009

The 5-3 Atlanta Falcons take on the 3-5 Carolina Panthers in a Week 10 NFC South Division showdown this Sunday. Last week, the Falcons got back on track with a 31-17 win over the Redskins while the Panthers blew a 14-point lead against the unbeaten Saints falling 30-20. These teams have met once already this season with Atlanta winning 28-20. The win was the Falcons third in the last four meetings and they own an 18-11 edge in the all-time series. The Atlanta Falcons are listed as a 2-point favorite with the total set at 43.5.

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When Falcons QB Matt Ryan posts a passer rating of 100 or better the Falcons are a perfect 8-0, but I believe it will be running back Michael Turner and not Ryan who has the biggest say in whether the Falcons prevail Sunday. After a tremendous 2008 season, in which Turner finished as the NFL’s second leading rusher, he got off to a slow start this season. Turner was held under the century mark in five of his first six games, but it appears he is now finding his groove. Over the last two weeks, he has gashed the opposition for 323 yards and three touchdowns. Turner rushed for over 100 yards in both games against Carolina last season and he could be poised to do so again considering that the Panthers are only ranked 23rd in the league in defending the run.

It’s no secret that Carolina wants to run the football and that means that the Atlanta defense, led by linebacker Curtis Lofton, will have to be up for the challenge. Lofton is just in his second season, but he is wasting no time making his presence felt. He currently leads the NFL with 84 stops. He should get plenty of opportunities to wrap up DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart this week. If he can help the Falcons shut down Carolina’s ground game, it will go a long way toward earning the win. It is worth noting that the Falcons are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games as a favorite. If you like Atlanta to take care of business Sunday, bet the Falcons at -2 at Bookmaker.

QB Jake Delhomme seems to always play pretty good against the Falcons. In fact, he has thrown for at least 294 yards in three straight games against them. But I don’t believe his arm will be the key this week. The Panthers are at their best when they are running the football and few do it as well as DeAngelo Williams, who has rushed for 768 yards and seven touchdowns on a lethal 5.2 yards per carry average. And Williams seems to take his game to another level in division play where he has rushed for eight touchdowns in his last six games against NFC South foes.

Defensively, the Panthers have the same task as the Falcons – stop the run. If the Panthers can stop Atlanta’s running game, it will put the pressure on Matt Ryan, and the young QB has struggled in recent weeks throwing at least one interception in five straight games. It is worth noting that the Panthers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 versus the NFC South. If you like Carolina to earn a split in the season series, bet the Panthers at +2 at Bookmaker.

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