Atlanta at Los Angeles Odds, Free Pick & TV Info

Atlanta at Los Angeles Odds, Free Pick & TV Info

Written by on December 9, 2016

The Atlanta Falcons enter Week 14 tied for the lead in the NFC South with Tampa Bay, so it’s a key game for the Falcons when they visit a Rams team that is just playing out the string on another losing campaign. Atlanta is a road favorite on NFL odds.

Atlanta at Los Angeles Odds, Free Pick & TV Info

When: Sunday, Dec. 11, 4:25 PM ET Where: LA Memorial Coliseum TV: Fox Radio: Atlanta / Los Angeles Stream OptionNFL Live Opening NFL Lines: Falcons -6 (45)

Why Bet on Atlanta?

Seven games were within one score in the fourth quarter in Week 13, including Kansas City’s 29-28 win at Atlanta. Chiefs safety Eric Berry intercepted a two-point conversion attempt and returned it for the go-ahead score with 4:32 remaining in the fourth quarter, marking the first game-winning defensive two-point conversion when a team was trailing since the rule was adopted last season. The Falcons, rallying from a 27-16 deficit, went ahead 28-27 on Matt Ryan’s 5-yard touchdown pass to Aldrick Robinson with 4:32 remaining. Atlanta decided to go for 2, looking to stretch the margin to a field goal. Ryan was 22 of 34 for 297 yards, but his two huge mistakes — Berry also returned a pick for a TD — doomed the Falcons. Julio Jones hauled in seven passes for 113 yards, while Devonta Freeman had a couple of 1-yard touchdown runs. The high-powered Falcons offense didn’t close out when it needed to, squandering three red zone opportunities. The reality is the Falcons are the only team in the league averaging 30 or more points at 32.2 points per game. The 7-5 Falcons are 1-4 this season when they don’t score 30 points. Falcons WR Mohamed Sanu (groin) remained sidelined at Thursday’s practice. He isn’t likely to play this week. Atlanta’s receiving corps is suddenly in rough shape with Sanu hurt and Jones dealing with turf toe. Taylor Gabriel set a season-high in targets last week and could be in for another big workload Sunday against Los Angeles. Jones was limited to side work in Thursday’s practice. He took part in the walk-through, but not team drills.

Why Bet on Los Angeles?

The Rams (4-8) dropped a third straight last week, 26-10 in New England. The Rams entered the game ranked 31st in total offense, averaging just 295 yards per game. Those struggles continued. They managed just 25 yards in the first half, the fewest by a team in a game this season. Los Angeles was outgained 402-162 for the game. In his third career start, rookie Jared Goff was picked off twice, completing 14 of 32 passes for 161 yards. He took four sacks and didn’t lead the Rams to a touchdown drive until deep garbage time, capped by a short score to Kenny Britt. Todd Gurley rushed 11 times for 38 yards and caught 2-of- 3 targets for nine yards in the Rams’ Week 13 loss to the Patriots. Gurley has now reached 100 total yards in just 1-of- 12 games. The Rams have dropped seven of their last eight games, putting them at 4-8 despite winning three of four to start the season. “It’s just getting frustrating,” Rams defensive end William Hayes said. “Week in and week out, everybody’s taking their turns making mistakes.” Thirteen weeks in, the Rams are last in the NFL in yards per game (284), last in the NFL in points per game (15), last in the NFL in first downs per game (15.8), last in the NFL in third-down- conversion percentage (32.5) and last in the NFL in Total QBR (41.6). This, after ranking in the bottom five in offense each of the previous three seasons. But L.A. has a good defense and could pull the upset at home.

My Expert Pick

Falcons are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 road games. Under is 10-2 in Rams last 12 games following a straight up loss. Falcons and under on NFL odds.