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St. Louis Rams at Atlanta Falcons NFL Betting Odds & Picks

Written by Jimmy Boyd

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The Atlanta Falcons are proof that making the right moves can turn a franchise around in a hurry. With a first-year GM, coach, and QB, the Falcons have a chance to win the NFC South division just one season removed from finishing dead last. Odds makers are expecting a big win for Atlanta, listing the Falcons as 14-point favorites with the total set at 44.

St. Louis will try to do what Atlanta did next year as it will start its offseason rebuilding project. President of football operations, Jay Zygmunt, stepped down Monday. That was the first change of many that are expected to take place over the next several months. Atlanta was in St. Louis’ shoes at this time last season. It was able to win its final regular season game to finish 4-12. No one, and I repeat, no one expected the Falcons to be a playoff contender just one year after Franchise QB Michael Vick was sent to the pen. New GM Thomas Dimitroff and coach Mike Smith held a fire sale, releasing a number of vets to get the rebuilding project underway. Perhaps their best move, was drafting QB Matt Ryan with their first pick in the NFL draft. The rookie signal caller has since led the Falcons to their first playoff appearance since 2004. Atlanta clinched a postseason berth with a 24-17 win over NFC North leading Minnesota last Sunday. The Falcons are in position to win the NFC South to earn a first-round bye with a win over the Rams and a Carolina loss at New Orleans. The Falcons and Panthers would each finish with 11-5 records, but the Falcons would earn the championship based on its 8-4 conference mark. Much of Atlanta’s success has stemmed from taking care of business at home. The Falcons are 6-1 at the Georgia Dime this season and NFL odds makers are confident that they will do their part to win the division against a Rams team which has dropped nine straight.

Prior to the season, there was speculation that Ryan might not even start in his first year. What a mistake that would have been. Ryan has completed 61.7 percent of his passes for 3,280 yards and 15 touchdowns against nine interceptions. A rock solid running game, led by Michael Turner, has helped make Ryan’s transition into the NFL a smooth one. Pro Bowler Michael Turner ranks second in the NFL with 1,491 yards and scored a franchise-record 16 TDs. If you like Atlanta to win big this week, bet the Falcons at -14 at BetUS.

St. Louis has one of the best all-purpose backs in the NFL to build around if he can stay healthy. I’m, of course, referring to Steven Jackson, who has spent much of the season on the sidelines. Jackson appears to be near full strength. He carried 32 times for a hard-earned 108 yards in last week’s one-point loss to the 49ers. It was Jackson’s first 100-yard game since a Week 7 win over Dallas.

What’s on the table this week could be interim head coach Jim Haslett’s job. A win as a sizeable underdog, could sway projected GM and current executive vice president of player personnel, Billy Devaney to ask him back. While Haslett will be included in the coaching search and has expressed that he would like to come back, he is considered a long shot. The Rams are now just 5-26 over the last two seasons and they are currently mired in a losing streak that is the franchise’s longest since 1995. The Rams did beat the Falcons last December and perhaps they can draw some confidence from that this week. If you believe odds makers are giving St. Louis too many points, bet the Rams at +14 at BetUS.

Jimmy Boyd is ready to beat the NFL betting odds for the fifth straight Sunday with his award winning NFL picks!

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