The Atlanta Falcons get to complete their four-game run against AFC East teams here on Sunday in Week 8 when they visit the New York Jets as small road chalk at the TopBet. Atlanta dropped to 0-3 versus the division with an underwhelming 23-7 loss to the Patriots in a highly anticipated Super Bowl L1 rematch in Week 7.
The Atlanta Falcons won the first three games of this season, and everything looked to be going good, and there didn’t seem to be any hangover from losing in the Super Bowl. But since that point they have lost three games a row, and all three of them were really heartbreaking losses.
Two games ago against Miami they jumped out to a 17-0 lead. The offense couldn’t do anything the rest of the game though, and the defense struggled and they allowed the Dolphins to score 20 unanswered points and lose the game. In the last game they had the big rematch of the Super Bowl, but the only problem was the offense forgot to show up.
Matt Ryan threw for 233 yards and one touchdown, but otherwise the offense had issues finishing drives and that led to a 23-7 defeat. In the game the Falcons need to figure out a way to get the offense rolling again. If the offense struggles the defense isn’t good enough to carry this team. They need to try and go back to what worked last year for Matt Ryan and hope he can start clicking and get the offense on a roll.
On the other side of this match up is the New York Jets who have had a very up and down season so far. After losing the first two games of the year, they were able to win three straight games. But in the last two games they have lost, and both of those games they could have won.
In the last game against the Dolphins they hopped out to a big lead, but the defense really struggled in the second half and let them climb back into the game. The Dolphins clicked a field goal with less than a minute left to go to win the game. A big issue this team looks like it has is they don’t feel comfortable winning games.
When they get up in games they play like they are shocked they have the lead. If they want to win this game they need to get out to a big lead, and then play well with it. The defense needs to step up and make life rough on Matt Ryan all afternoon. If they can do that they will have a chance to win this game.
Writer’s Prediction:
I think this is the week the Falcons finally figure it out. They will come out motivated and the offense is going to run up the score in this one on the way to an easy victory and a cover of the spread. Pick: Atlanta Falcons (-4.5)
