Game: Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers

Date: September 21st at 1:00 PM ET

Where to Watch: Fox

The Atlanta Falcons make the trip to Charlotte this week to take on the Carolina Panthers. This will be the Falcons’ second NFC South game of the season and the Panthers’ first, as well as their first home game. Atlanta comes in with a 1-1 record and has looked steady on both sides of the ball. They could certainly use more explosiveness offensively, but the defense has held up well. Carolina, on the other hand, has stumbled to an 0-2 start, putting themselves in an early-season hole. Last week, the Panthers kept things close late but fell too far behind the eight ball to complete a comeback. Offensively, Carolina has been forced to rely too heavily on the pass due to an ineffective run game. If the Panthers hope to save their season this week, they will need to bring everything they have.

Embed from Getty Images

Weather

This game will be played in the low to mid-90s, with a 0% chance of precipitation. Winds shouldn’t play much of a factor, averaging around 7 mph with gusts up to 14 mph.

Betting Overview

When this game first opened to the public, sportsbooks expected a close matchup, listing the Panthers as 1.5-point favorites. Things have changed drastically, with the Falcons now favored by between 5 and 5.5 points. Atlanta opened with even odds on the moneyline and is now between -218 and -250, while Carolina opened at -120 and is now between +188 and +200. The total has also dipped slightly from its opening line of 46.5 to between 43.5 and 44.5, depending on the book.

In the last 10 matchups between these franchises, the Falcons have won five and the Panthers five. Carolina holds a slight edge against the spread, covering six of the last 10, and the under has hit in six of those games as well. Last season, the Falcons won and covered the first game with the over hitting, while the Panthers won and covered the second, with the over hitting again.

Position Group & Coaching Comparisons

Coaching: Neither coaching staff in this matchup is one to write home about, but because the Falcons’ staff has proven they can compete week in and week out with solid teams, I’ll give them the nod.

DLs vs. OLs: The Panthers have a stronger interior defensive line, but when you look at the edge rushers and Atlanta’s offensive line, this matchup leans in favor of the Falcons. We’ve seen this through the first two games as well, as Atlanta has been more effective in the run game than Carolina. Surprisingly, however, Bryce Young has been given more time to throw than Penix.

QBs: It’s hard to make an argument in favor of Bryce Young through the first two games, as he hasn’t looked very decisive with the football. Penix, while not doing anything overly flashy, has done everything the Falcons need and has avoided mistakes so far.

RBs & TEs vs. LBs: This category also leans in favor of the Falcons, as Bijan is a better all-around back than Chuba Hubbard, and Kyle Pitts has looked solid through two games. From an off-ball linebacker perspective, the Falcons have a clear edge in stopping the run and have been steady in pass coverage as well.

WRs vs. Secondaries: This is probably the closest position battle on the field. Atlanta isn’t particularly deep at wide receiver, and neither is Carolina. Carolina has the stronger corners, while the Falcons have the better safeties, so it will be interesting to see how this matchup unfolds.

Final Thoughts

Atlanta has the clear edge in this game, but Carolina comes in with its back against the wall. The 5.5-point spread is a bit concerning for Atlanta, given Carolina’s home-field advantage and the mentality they’ll bring. The total of 44.5 to 43.5 is difficult to gauge, since both matchups between these teams last season went over that mark, yet only one of their combined four games this season would have done so.