The NFC South rival Carolina Panthers (2-2) and Atlanta Falcons (0-4) play the first of their two 2020 meetings in Week 5 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Kickoff will be Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. Below, we preview the Panthers-Falcons Week 5 betting odds and lines and make our NFL picks and best bets.
Panthers at Falcons betting odds and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 2:05 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Panthers +105 (bet $100, win $105) | Falcons -125 (bet $125, win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Panthers +1.5 (-110) | Falcons -1.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 53.5 (O: -110, U: -110)
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Panthers at Falcons game notes
- The Falcons and Panthers rank eighth and 12th respectively, with 396.0 and 390.3 yards per game. Atlanta’s outscoring Carolina 26.5-24.8 on average.
- The Panthers have a significant defensive advantage with 25.5 points allowed per game. The Falcons rank 31st in the NFL with 34.5 PPG allowed.
- Atlanta has won the last five head-to-head rivalry showdowns dating back to the 2017 season. All but one of those games was decided by multiple scores.
- Both teams are plus-2 in turnover differential. The Falcons are averaging 6.0 penalties per game to the Panthers’ 6.8.
- Panthers RB Mike Davis has gained 202 yards from scrimmage with two touchdowns over two games in place of injured All-Pro RB Christian McCaffrey.
- Carolina has won back-to-back games outright and is 2-2 against the spread. Atlanta’s coming off its most lopsided loss of the season, losing by 14 to the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football in Week 4. It is 1-3 ATS.
Panthers at Falcons key injuries
Panthers
- CB Eli Apple (hamstring) questionable
Falcons
- WR Calvin Ridley (thigh/knee) probable
- S Keanu Neal (hamstring) questionable
- S Ricardo Allen (elbow) questionable
- DT Grady Jarrett (hip) probable)
- DE Takkarist McKinley (groin) probable
- WR Julio Jones (hamstring) doubtful
Panthers at Falcons: Odds, betting lines, picks and prediction
Prediction
Panthers 31, Falcons 27
Money line (?)
The Falcons (-125) can’t keep the opposition off the scoreboard right now. They’re giving up big plays and failing to get timely stops. Injuries are also expected to play a factor with Jones not practicing Thursday and Ridley limited coming off a 5-target, 0-catch performance against the Packers.
The PANTHERS (+105) have been one of the surprise teams of the 2020 season under first-year head coach Matt Rhule. They’re coming off wins over the Los Angeles Chargers (21-16) and Arizona Cardinals (31-21) and will snap their skid against their division rival with an upset road win Sunday.
Against the spread (?)
The value of plus-money for the outright win for the Panthers is much more enticing, but CAROLINA +1.5 (-110) should also be backed on the spread for added insurance. The small number can come into play with a missed kick or failed two-point conversion.
Over/Under (?)
The OVER 53.5 (-110) is the best play of the game. Carolina scored a season-high 31 points last week and previously allowed 30-plus points in back-to-back games to open the season. Atlanta has allowed at least 30 points in each game.
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Also see:
- Atlanta QB Ryan impressed by Carolina’s speed on defense (Panthers Wire)
- A look at Atlanta’s remaining 12 games (Falcons Wire)
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