Year: 2014

Week 17: Carolina vs Atlanta Predictions

NFL Week #17 betting action sees the Carolina Panthers taking on the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday December 28 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. Cappers Picks provides free NFL handicapping tips all season long.

The winner of this one make the playoffs as the division winner in the NFC South. It is neither pretty or fair but it it what is is.

NFL Odds

Carolina Panthers (6-8-1) vs. Atlanta Falcons (6-9)
Sunday December 28
4:25PM
Georgia Dome – Atlanta, GA
CBS
NFL Betting Lines: Falcons -4
NFL Betting Total: 47.5
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Carolina

I am going to try and refrain from talking about how bad the NFC South is.

No matter how you feel about it one of these teams is going to get in with a losing record and in this situation at least they will have to beat the other to do it…so that’s something.

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The Panthers have been resilient, winning their last three games even though Cam Newton missed one entirely due to an accident.

He was not great last week in his return but the Panthers gutted out the necessary victory. The question is whether they have another in them.

Newton has to be the key for the Panthers. His season has been average at best and it shows how lucky he has been that he got injured right after his best game of the season.

This is the biggest game of the year and you have to rely on your biggest playmaker.

Plus I think they are going to need him because the Panthers’ defense is not what it was a year ago.

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If Newton is mistake free they win (he threw 2 picks last time).

Atlanta

I really thought the Falcons were toast last week needing a win at New Orleans to stay alive.

Kudos to Mike Smith for maybe saving his job and setting up an opportunity to return to the playoffs with a home victory on Sunday – against a team they have already beaten this season.

This Atlanta team has a lot of flaws but if you win your division you make it into the playoffs.

It is as simple as that, and once you are in than anything can happen. Atlanta has to like their chances of extending their season.

Matt Ryan is going to be under attack on Sunday.

The Panthers are not blessed with great cover guys so I expect them to put mucho heat on Matty Ice and take their chances that they can make some plays.

Ryan has the receivers to exploit that strategy and will have to continue his hot play – he has 4 straight games with a passer rating over 100.

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Don’t expect the running game to do much which means they could have trouble holding a lead if they get one.

NFL Handicapping Trends:

• Over is 4-0 in Panthers last 4 games on fieldturf.
• Over is 6-0 in Panthers last 6 road games.
• Under is 9-1 in Panthers last 10 vs. NFC South.
• Under is 4-0 in Falcons last 4 vs. a team with a losing record.
• Over is 4-0 in Falcons last 4 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
• Falcons are 1-8 ATS in their last 9 games after allowing less than 15 points in their previous game.
• Home team is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 meetings.
• Panthers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 meetings in Atlanta.
• Underdog is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.

NFL Prediction: Carolina +4

This one is more hunch I must admit. I just can’t get behind the Falcons.

NFL Score prediction: Carolina 23 – Atlanta 20

There is better value with Carolina and I think they can win it outright.

Check out our Updated NFL Week 17 Odds.

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