Both teams have been more disappointing than pleasing this season despite winning SU records.  5-4 Atlanta is just 3-6 ATS whereas 6-3 Seattle is 3-5-1 ATS.  Atlanta’s impressive 27-7 home win over Dallas last week snapped a 1-4 SU and 0-5 ATS stretch.  Seattle has won 5 of 6 but is 0-2-1 ATS in their last 3 games.  7 of Seattle’s 9 games have been decided by 8 points or less.  While Atlanta’s offensive struggle in converting yards into points has been a concern for much of the season the defense has been steady, holding 8 of 9 foes to 23 points or less and allowing just 26 points to the ninth.  Atlanta still has the NFL’s best yards per play differential at plus 1.1.  Seattle continues to be plagued by penalties and have suffered additional key injuries.  Despite Seattle’s strong home field the 2 of Seattle’s 3 home wins have been by a FG and the third was their blowout of lowly Indianapolis in which they trailed at the half.  And they lost their last home game to Washington.  Last week’s win over Dallas may have been the ‘buy’ signal for the Falcons who face the them they knocked out of the Playoffs last season and are seeking revenge.  Whereas Seattle’s window is closing, Atlanta’s remains open.  The late injury news on Saturday that Seattle's Kam Chancellor is likely out for the balance of the season further weakens the defense and has caused money to come in on the Falcons.  Cluster injuries, especially to the defense, often are under compensated for in line adjustments and it could be argued that the Falcons should be the favored team in this contest as a result.

11/19/2017 8:37 PM