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NFL Picks: Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons

Written by Brad Marchetti on November 22, 2008

The Carolina Panthers will be looking to deliver the KO blow to a surprising Atlanta Falcons team at 1 PM ET. The Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons game will determine who has the power in the NFC South division with Atlanta in a must win situation. The Atlanta Falcons (6-4) are currently 2 games behind Carolina (8-2) in the division. For Atlanta to pull off the upset at home they will need a great effort from their running game. Atlanta rookie QB Matt Ryan has played well but he will need help against Carolina’s stingy defense. The NFL betting odds for the Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons game is Atlanta -1 on the SPREAD.

In NFL week 4 the Panthers dominated Matt Ryan and held the rookie to just 158 yards passing. Carolina also shut down dynamic Falcons RB Michael Turner (5‘10“ 237 4.40 40-speed) who gained just 56 yards (3.1 ypc). Ryan (87.8 passer rating) will need big-play wideouts Roddy White (4.50 6’0” 210) and Michael Jenkins (6’4” 217 4.45) to keep the Panthers defense honest. Atlanta has a powerful O-line but Carolina has allowed a solid 107.6 yards per game on the ground. Carolina’s run defense has shown some vulnerability in recent weeks which could be trouble against game breaking RB Jerrious Norwood (5’11” 204 4.30). Norwood is listed as questionable however with a rib injury. Carolina’s pass-defense allows a low 71.6 passer rating and has recorded 21.0 sacks. Check out our NFL expert picks on this game and others to have the best chance at winning this weekend.

The Atlanta Falcons pass-rush (18.0 sacks) has improved and will attempt to throw the kitchen sink at Carolina QB Jake Delhomme (78.4 passer rating). Delhomme (50 MPH pass-speed = 90 MPH fastball) does not throw well on the move and must avoid costly turnovers. The Atlanta Falcons secondary is allowing a mediocre 80.7 passer rating and has some holes. If Delhomme can escape the blitz he has two wideouts in Steve Smith (4.35) and Muhsin Muhammad (6’2” 217 4.70) that can make Atlanta pay. Smith is so dangerous that he allowed Muhammad to break loose against Atlanta for 147 yards and a TD in week 4. The Panthers bread and butter still lies in their rushing attack that averages 133.7 yards per game. RB’s DeAngelo Williams (782 yds.) and rookie Jonathan Stewart (5’10” 235 4.40) are the studs that carry the Panthers offense. The Falcons run defense has been run over at times this year allowing a whopping 4.9 yards per carry and 119.6 yards per game. If you are doing your NFL betting on the total for the Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons game it is at 42.5 to 43.0 points.

Atlanta has traditionally been a tough place to play for the Panthers. The Falcons know that they need this game to keep their playoff hopes rolling. Carolins is coming off 2 straight flat performances with holes in their run D. The Panthers have done excellent on the road in division at the betting window play going 11-5-1 ATS. Is Carolina’s recent success a result of poor opposition?

Get NFL picks from our top handicappers to profit over the sportsbooks on Sunday!

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