NFL Handicapping – Falcons vs Chiefs Betting Spread / Matchup
The Falcons have been solid in the last couple of years, but have flamed out in the playoffs. Matt Ryan is one of the better QB’s in the league and he may be tested in this game facing a solid Kansas City secondary.
Venue/ Stadium: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO
Time/Date: 1 PM EST Sunday, September 9, 2012
MLB Odds From: Bovada
Spread: Falcons -3
Moneyline: Falcons -140 / Chiefs +120
Over/Under: 43.5
Atlanta Falcons vs. Kansas City Chiefs Preview
The Chiefs have not looked good in the preseason and there is a lot of pressure on QB Matt Cassel, but KC has a chance to make the playoffs this season in the wide-open AFC West. NFL lines have the visiting Falcons as 3-point favorites with a total of 43.5.
In the preseason the Chiefs were 1-3 losing their last 3 games and the Falcons were also 1-3.
Last season the Chiefs were 9-7 ATS with an Over/Under record of 4-12 and the Falcons were 7-8-1 ATS with an Over/Under record of 7-9.
Cassel has a good WR corps with Dwayne Bowe and Steve Breaston and the Falcons’ secondary is less than stellar and struggled against the pass last season. However, their pass defense may be better this season with the addition of 4-time Pro Bowl CB Asante Samuel.
In 2010 the Chiefs led the league in rushing, but struggled last season when Jamaal Charles went down with a knee injury. He is back and Kansas City also brought in Peyton Hillis. The Falcons’ run defense is solid, but if Charles is back to his past self he will be tough to stop.
The Falcons have a great aerial attack with Ryan leading the way with WR’s Julio Jones and Roddy White and TE Tony Gonzalez. The Chiefs pass defense was great last season and while Eric Berry returns from a major knee injury the team lost CB Brandon Carr to the Cowboys and CB Brandon Flowers is questionable with an injury. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Michael Turner rushed for over 1,300 yards last season and he will be facing a Chiefs’ run defense that was less than stellar last season. Kansas City has several players on D banged up and rookie first round pick DE Dontari Poe may get the start.
The last time these 2 teams met it was 4 years ago and the Falcons torched the Chiefs beating them 38-14.
In some betting trends for this non-conference match up the Falcons are 3-1 ATS in their last 4 games, 3-2 ATS in their last 5 road games, and they have an Over record of 4-1 in their last 5 games.
The Chiefs are 1-3 ATS in their last 4 home games and they have an Under record of 12-2 in their last 14 home games.
Jason’s Pick: I think the Falcons will have no problem winning this game and while their defense may not play well Ryan and company will torch the Kansas City defense.
