11/16 10:00 AM NFL (459) ATLANTA FALCONS at (460) CAROLINA PANTHERS
Free Pick: (459) ATLANTA FALCONS -1.5
The recipe for success in the NFL doesn’t usually include taking mediocre teams in the role of road favorite. But that’s what I’m doing here as the Falcons visit the Panthers.
I had Atlanta last weekend, so I’ve got a little positive flow with the Falcons. The team finally has a little something good working for them, and that should aid their mindset as they head to Carolina for this divisional duel. But I’m really not going to say much about the Falcons, as this play is much more about the Panthers.
Carolina is a real mess right now. I don’t think there’s much question that QB Cam Newton is playing hurt, and he’s just unable to do some of things that make him stand out. If Newton can’t make things happen on the move, he’s barely ordinary and barring a sudden recovery from what appears to be more than just the usual aches and pains, I have to think he’s going to be limited again today.
Another problem for Newton has been a patchwork Carolina offensive line. The Panthers have used six different offensive line combos over the past six games. That’s just not good in any way, as it’s tough to create cohesion and thus the results become predictable.
Then there’s the Carolina defense. What has happened here? This team can’t stop anything right now. Considering that the defense is supposed to be the major strength of the Panthers, that’s a major red flag.
Last year is long gone and has no bearing on anything taking place now in the NFL. The current Carolina Panthers are simply one of the worst teams in the league. Not that Atlanta is anything remotely close to a powerhouse, but they’re the better entry here. The Falcons have a terrible defense, probably even worse than that of the Panthers. But the Falcons have a decided advantage on offense, and I like their special teams better as well.
Better numbers and what I believe might well be a better mindset make for the play here. The Panthers will have to show me something that just doesn’t appear to be there right now to beat me today. I’m going ahead and trying to make it two wins in two weeks with the Falcons.
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I tend to keep my star-rated NFL volume especially low - focusing on only my very best handicaps. But, I like the card enough this week to fire on an unusually robust 3 Sunday best bets.