Tag: Atlanta Falcons

Vote for your favorite Falcons players to make the 2020 NFL Pro Bowl

The 2020 NFL Pro Bowl vote is now open, and while it hasn’t been a great year for the Falcons, there are still some players worthy of the honor.

The 2020 NFL Pro Bowl vote is now open, and while it hasn’t been a great year for the Falcons, there are still some players worthy of the honor.

Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett is among the most deserving. He leads the defense with 5.5 sacks, and has been the team’s most consistent player through the first nine games.

Wide receiver Julio Jones is in the middle of another great season, while tight end Austin Hooper, despite his recent injury, is certainly deserving of his second consecutive trip to the Pro Bowl.

Make sure to vote for all of your favorite Falcons players.

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Former Longhorn Malik Jefferson waived by Cleveland Browns

Former Texas Longhorns linebacker Malik Jefferson was waived by the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday

On Tuesday, former Texas Longhorns linebacker Malik Jefferson was waived by the Cleveland Browns.

Jefferson is in just his second year as a pro. He was drafted in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals.

With the Browns in 2019, Jefferson only made an appearance in one game, and that game came in week one against the Titans. In that game, Jefferson recorded just one tackle.

Hopefully, we see Malik find a new home soon. After all, he was a third-round pick last year for a reason.

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WATCH: Quandre Diggs gets first interception with Seahawks

Watch as Seattle Seahawks defensive back Quandre Diggs gets his first interception with his new team

A few weeks ago, former Texas Longhorn defensive back Quandre Diggs was traded from the Detroit Lions to the Seattle Seahawks. Last night, Diggs saw his first action with Seattle in a clash between the San Francisco 49ers.

The 49ers went into this Monday Night Football matchup as the only remaining undefeated team in the NFL. The Seahawks were able to stun the 49ers in San Francisco, winning in overtime by a score of 27-24.

About midway through the 3rd quarter, Diggs was able to intercept 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo with the score being 10-7 in favor of San Francisco. This interception led to a Seahawks touchdown, giving them the lead.

On the night, Diggs was able to tally two tackles, one of which was solo, a pass defense, and this interception.

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Private workout for QB Colin Kaepernick to be held in Atlanta

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, a workout for former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick will be held on Saturday in Atlanta.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, a workout for former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick will be held on Saturday in Atlanta.

All 32 NFL teams are invited to attend and will get the chance to interview Kaepernick, Schefter said. The league will also make a video of the workout and interview available to each team.

Kaepernick, who last played in 2016, has thrown for 12,271 yards, 72 touchdowns and 30 interceptions for a passer rating of 88.9. He’s rushed for an additional 2,300 yards and 13 touchdowns over his 69 career games.

UPDATE: Kaepernick has since confirmed the report on Twitter:

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Dan Quinn impressed with Kaleb McGary’s fight against Cam Jordan

Prior to the Falcons’ Week 10 defensive outburst, they had recorded just seven total sacks through their first eight games. In contrast, Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan had personally tallied eight sacks entering Sunday’s game.

Prior to the Falcons’ Week 10 defensive outburst, they had recorded just seven total sacks through their first eight games. In contrast, Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan had personally tallied eight sacks entering Sunday’s contest.

Atlanta’s shocking six-sack performance become the biggest headline from the team’s 26-9 upset win over New Orleans, although the offensive line deserves some credit as well.

The Falcons kept the Saints’ powerful offense off of the field by winning the time of possession battle, thanks in large part to the way they played up front against one of the best defenses in the NFL this season.

Atlanta’s offensive line allowed just one sack and kept an injured Matt Ryan upright for most of the day. Rookie right tackle Kaleb McGary has been solid for most of the year, but was especially good on Sunday.

He held Jordan in check and never once shied away from the challenge. Watch for yourself as Brian Baldinger breaks down the team’s offensive line play below:

Falcons coach Dan Quinn noticed as well, appreciating the way McGary battled against one of the league’s best defensive ends.

Atlanta could get their other first-round pick, guard Chris Lindstrom, back in a few weeks, although it may take another season to know what the team has in the former Boston College standout.

For now, the Falcons have to feel pretty good about what they’ve seen from McGary.

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NFC playoff picture: Panthers hanging by a thread going into Week 11

Here’s an updated look at the NFC playoff picture going into Week 11.

Losing to the Packers did serious damage to the Panthers’ playoff hopes for 2019. The loss dropped their season record to 5-4 and their chances of making the postseason to just 18 percent.

Here’s an updated look at the NFC playoff picture going into Week 11.

Playoff teams

1. San Francisco 49ers (8-1)
2. Green Bay Packers (8-2)
3. New Orleans Saints (7-2)
4. Dallas Cowboys (5-4)
5. Seattle Seahawks (8-2)
6. Minnesota Vikings (7-3)

Still in the race

7. Los Angeles Rams (5-4)
8. Philadelphia Eagles (5-4)
9. Carolina Panthers (5-4)

There’s not much room for error, here. Earlier in the season, the Panthers pulled off a four-game winning streak. They may need another one in order to land a wild card spot.

Carolina’s next four opponents are the Falcons, Saints, Redskins and the Falcons again. Atlanta is just 2-7 this season and Washington (1-8) might just be the worst team in the conference. If the Panthers can find a way to upset New Orleans, winning four in a row is certainly possible.

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Falcons-Panthers odds: Carolina favored in NFC South battle

Previewing Sunday’s Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers sports betting odds and lines, with Week 11 NFL matchup analysis and picks.

The Atlanta Falcons (2-7) play a second straight NFC South rivalry game in Week 11 when they visit the Carolina Panthers (5-4) Sunday at 1 p.m. ET at Bank of America Stadium. We analyze the Falcons-Panthers odds and sports betting lines, while providing sports betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Falcons at Panthers: Week 11 preview, betting trends and notes

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  • The Falcons returned from their bye at 1-7 and beat the New Orleans Saints 26-9 in a dominant road effort this past Sunday.
  • The Falcons have won the last three and six of the last seven head-to-head meetings dating back to Dec. 27, 2015.
  • Carolina ranks seventh in the NFL with 131.4 team rushing yards per game. Atlanta ranks 29th and is now without starting RB Devonta Freeman for at least two weeks due to a foot sprain.
  • Only nine teams allow more total yards per game than the Falcons at 371.8. Three teams allow more points per game than the 28.8 given up by Atlanta.
  • The Falcons have no interceptions and have surrendered 17 passing touchdowns since Week 3. The Panthers have averaged 1.57 INTs per game since Week 3.
  • The Panthers allow a league-high 83.3% completion rate on opponent passes in the red zone.

Falcons at Panthers: Key injuries

Falcons TE Autin Hooper (knee) joins Freeman on the sideline. CB Desmond Trufant (toe) is questionable after sitting again in Week 10. Backup RB Ito Smith (neck) is out for the season.

Panthers DB James Bradberry (groin) sat out Week 10. DL Kawann Short (shoulder) and QB Cam Newton (foot) are out for the year.

Falcons at Panthers: Odds, betting lines and prediction

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 2 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Falcons 27, Panthers 24

Moneyline (?)

The Panthers are 2-2 straight up at home while the Falcons improved to 1-4 as the visitors with last week’s road win. While Atlanta is without two key pieces of the offense, it still has red-zone threats in WRs Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley. Back the FALCONS (+210) to keep it rolling following last week’s emotional win.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on the Falcons to win would return a profit of $21.

Against the Spread (?)

The FALCONS are also a fine play on the spread of +5.5 at -110 odds to lose by five or fewer points, or win outright. They’re just 3-6 against the spread and fail to cover by an average of 4.5 points, but the Panthers are just 2-2 ATS at home and Atlanta has dominated this matchup.

Over/Under (?)

Grab the OVER 50.5 (-110) with key defensive injuries. Carolina is 6-3 against the Over/Under while Atlanta is 3-6. The Falcons have a neutral differential against the totals through nine games with the Panthers plus-4.4 against the projections.

Want action on this game? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Esten’s NFL betting record: 23-29

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Ranking the 11 most disappointing NFL teams of 2019

The Rams, Chargers, Bears and Browns are among the biggest disappointments.

What teams have failed to deliver in the biggest manners in 2019? The expectations for each of these 11 were not the same. Still, they have all come up short in different ways.

11. Cincinnati Bengals

 Steve Flynn-USA TODAY Sports

Zac Taylor has taken a team that went 6-10 in 2018 and turned it into a laughingstock that is 0-9. Sure, there is no A.J. Green and that is an enormous loss. However, it feels more like a blessing for the talented wideout. Also, don’t think about throwing the loss of John Ross into the equation. He was trending as a bust and had a few good games before being injured, again. Benching Andy Dalton on his birthday was a gift as much as an insult. And throwing Ryan Finley to the Ravens was almost criminal. Could they go winless? It feels more probable than impossible.

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Panthers open 5.5-point favorites vs. Falcons for Week 11 matchup

According to BetMGM, Carolina opened as a 5.5-point favorite for this weekend’s matchup.

The Panthers will look to rebound from their heartbreaking loss to the Packers against a familiar foe this week. On Sunday, they will host the Falcons. According to BetMGM, Carolina opened as a 5.5-point favorite for this weekend’s matchup.

Atlanta might qualify as the most disappointing team in the NFL this year. Expectations were high for them coming into 2019 but they’ve managed to win just two of their nine games so far. The main reason why they have been losing is a porous defense that features the weakest pass rush in the league.

The Falcons did upset the Saints this week though and made some big changes to their coaching staff, so it’s possible they’ve turned the corner and will be tougher to beat going forward. Dan Quinn has surrendered play-calling duties and the defensive coordinator-by-committee they have going seems to be working.

The Panthers haven’t had much luck against Atlanta, lately. They have lost six of the last seven meetings and 30 of 48 all time.

[Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.]

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