Experts split on Panthers and Falcons for Week 14 matchup

The experts don’t seem quite clear on what to expect in Sunday’s game between the Panthers and the Falcons.

The experts don’t seem quite clear on what to expect in Sunday’s game between the Panthers and the Falcons. Even though Atlanta destroyed Carolina by 26 points just a few weeks ago, they’re pretty much split on who’s going to win this week.

Here’s a review of the Week 14 expert picks.

ESPN: Falcons

First up, everybody over at ESPN is predicting an Atlanta win.

CBS Sports: Split

At CBS, we have an even split. Four experts are picking the Falcons and four are picking the Panthers.

SB Nation: Panthers

The panel at SB Nation is also pretty split. Six are going with Carolina and four are for Atlanta.

NFL.com: Falcons

Meanwhile, Gregg Rosenthal at NFL.com is picking the Falcons to win a close one, 27-23.

USA Today: Panthers

Five of the national writers at USA Today are picking Carolina. Two are holding out for the Falcons.

Pro Football Focus: Falcons

Like ESPN, everyone at PFF is going all Atlanta.

It’s interesting that there’s no consensus, especially considering the Falcons have had so much success against this team in recent years. That said, they are just 3-9 this season and the Panthers should be as motivated as we have ever seen them following the firing of Ron Rivera. If they can’t come together and get an emotional victory this week, then this team may be broken.

Carolina 27, Atlanta 21.

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Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons sports betting odds and lines, with NFL Week 14 betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Atlanta Falcons (3-9) host the Carolina Panthers (5-7) Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in a rematch of the Week 11 meeting which the Falcons won 29-3 as visitors. The Week 14 tilt kicks off at 1 p.m. ET. We analyze the Panthers-Falcons odds and sports betting lines, while providing NFL betting tips and picks for this matchup.

Panthers at Falcons: Week 14 preview, betting trends and notes


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  • The Falcons took a 26-18 loss at home against the New Orleans Saints on Thanksgiving.
  • The Panthers have lost four in a row, with only one of those games played within eight points. They fired head coach Ron Rivera earlier this week and replaced him with Perry Fewell.
  • The Falcons are 1-19 when scoring fewer than 22 points since the start of the 2016 season. They’re averaging 21.7 points per game this year while the Panthers give up 26.7 PPG.
  • Atlanta allows a league-high 408.5 yards from scrimmage per game when at home.
  • The Panthers are 14-0 when not committing any turnovers since the start of 2016. They have a minus-2 turnover differential this year (22 giveaways) while the Falcons are minus-11 (21 giveaways).

Panthers at Falcons: Key injuries

Panthers TE Greg Olsen (concussion) remains in the concussion protocol.

Falcons WRs Julio Jones (shoulder) and Calvin Ridley (toe) were limited in practice Wednesday. TE Austin Hooper (knee) was also limited.

Panthers at Falcons: Odds, betting lines and prediction

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 7:50 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Falcons 30, Panthers 23

Moneyline (?)

The FALCONS (-162) are the play at home after their Week 11 domination of the Panthers and QB Kyle Allen. Jones should return after sitting out Thanksgiving and the return of Hooper would be an added boost.

The Falcons have won four straight and seven of the last eight head-to-head meetings.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Falcons to win outright returns a profit of $6.17.

Against the Spread (?)

After winning by 26 in the season’s first meeting, the FALCONS are laying a conservative -2.5 points with -129 odds. Each of their last seven head-to-head victories was decided by more than a field goal.

Atlanta is 4-8 against the spread while Carolina is 6-6, but the Falcons fall an average of just 2.4 points shy of the cover. The Panthers fall an average of 3.3 points short.

Over/Under (?)

Take the OVER 48.5 (+105). The Panthers are 8-4 against the projections and top the number by an average of 4.4 PPG. The Falcons are 4-8 and fall 1.3 points shy of the line on average, but the probable returns of Jones and Hooper will propel this over the number.

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Experts picking Panthers over Falcons for Week 11 matchup

The Panthers haven’t had a lot of success against the Falcons in recent years. This week, the experts are expecting that to change, though.

The Panthers haven’t had a lot of success against the Falcons in recent years. This week, the experts are expecting that to change, though.

Here’s a review of who they’re picking for Sunday’s NFC South matchup.

ESPN: Panthers

Louis Riddick hasn’t made a pick yet, but everyone else on ESPN’s panel is picking the Panthers to win.

CBS Sports: Panthers

Seven out of eight experts at CBS are also going with Carolina. John Breech is the only holdout for Atlanta.

SB Nation: Panthers

More of the same, here. Everyone at SB Nation except Toby the Good Dog is picking the Panthers.

NFL.com: Falcons

Gregg Rosenthal at NFL.com is predicting a close game. He has the Falcons coming out on top, 22-20.

USA Today: Panthers

All of the national writers at USA Today are going with Carolina.

Who are we to argue?

Things could get interesting depending on which Falcons defense shows up. If it’s the one that held the Saints to just nine points in a win last week, then we’ll likely see a competitive game. However, if it’s the same defense we’ve seen most of the season, Atlanta won’t stand a chance. Home field advantage and the absences of Austin Hooper and Devonta Freeman should be more than enough to give the Panthers the edge they need.

Carolina 24, Atlanta 21.

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