The Atlanta Falcons just can’t get a break, but they will have to keep on trying. Up next for Matt Ryan and company is a road game against the Carolina Panthers, who are also coming off a loss. Will the Falcons get their second win of the season in this game? Or will the Panthers add more to the misery of Atlanta?
It just keeps on getting worse for the Falcons. Once again, Atlanta squandered a good lead, as it lost to the Detroit Lions at home last Sunday, 23-22. Atlanta would have likely won the game if it only had better time management late in the fourth quarter of its meeting with Detroit. Instead, the Falcons have now lost their sixth game of the season. Matt Ryan went 31-of-42 for 338 passing yards and a touchdown with zero interceptions while running back Todd Gurley rushed for 63 yards and two scores, including the late-game touchdown that was scored too early, thus giving the Lions enough time to pull off what eventually became a come-from-behind victory. But if you’re looking for a silver lining on the part of Atlanta, just consider the fact that it has allowed just 23.0 points over its last three games after surrendering 34.5 points in their first four games of the season. Offensively, the Falcons can still strike. Carolina’s defense will be in for a tough battle against Atlanta’s attack that is sixth in the league with 401.0 total yards per contest.
The Falcons are 5-1 against the spread in their last six games away from home.
The Panthers are on a losing skid again, having lost their last two games, including last Sunday’s 27-24 defeat on the road at the hands of the New Orleans Saints. Although they lost, Terry Bridgewater managed to shine once again. The former Louisville Cardinals star had 254 passing yards and two touchdowns without an interception. So far this season, Bridgewater sits fifth overall in the league with 1,930 passing yards to go with eight touchdowns. However, there wasn’t much support that came from the Panthers’ run game, which coughed up only 37 rushing yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. Help is on the way, though, as it appears that running back Christian McCaffrey has a shot at playing in Week 8. If he does play, then that doesn’t sound good for Atlanta’s defense that has so many holes right now. In any case, Bridgewater can continue to cook through the air, as the Falcons are ranked second-worst in the league against the pass with 333.4 passing yards allowed per game.
The over is 4-1-1 in the Panthers’ last six home games.
