The Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons meet up later today in a winner-take-all battle for the NFC South. The game is scheduled for a 4:25 p.m. start time and it will be televised live on CBS. Currently the betting odds for the game have the Falcons favored by a field goal to pick up the win.
No matter which team wins this game, the winner of the NFC South will finish the season with a sub-.500 record for the year. The NFL does not re-seed teams once the post season starts, so the winner in this one will host a playoff game next week.
Carolina has not been (obviously) a good team on the road this season, sporting a 2-4-1 record so far. Those two wins came at Tampa Bay and at New Orleans. The first two weeks of the season Carolina looked pretty solid, knocking off those Buccaneers and the Detroit Lions — but it quickly went down hill from there. Carolina is just 4-8-1 since those opening two games and now has a chance to make the playoffs.
The last NFL team to make the playoffs despite an under .500 record during the regular season was the 2010 Seattle Seahawks, which finished 7-9.
Cam Newton has not had a good season, throwing just 17 touchdowns and 12 picks. He’s starting to look better, though, recovering from some injuries.
Atlanta will have to get another solid game from their quarterback as well with Matt Ryan. He’s typically been a good quarterback in home games but this season seems to be an anomaly. While he still threw for 4,400 yards and 28 touchdowns, the Falcons were routinely behind in games this season and the defense gave up more points than the offense scored. Carolina did the same thing, for what it’s worth.
Atlanta can finish the regular season with a 4-4 record in home games with a win here. Both Julio Jones and Roddy White are going to play in this game, which gives Ryan and Atlanta a great opportunity. Carolina’s secondary has been OK this year, but once again must have to answer the bell.
Atlanta, though, is not good in the secondary. The Falcons are giving up better than 291 yards to opponents through the air, which should allow Newton to have a big day.
Carolina is going to keep this one close, but look for Atlanta to win a really close game at home.
Free Pick: Atlanta 28, Carolina 27
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