Panthers at Falcons NFL Week 2 Odds & Expert Pick

The Atlanta Falcons look to avoid a 0-2 start – teams who start with back-to-back losses rarely make the playoffs – as they host the NFC Central rival Carolina Panthers on Sunday in the Falcons’ home opener. Atlanta is favored on the odds for NFL Week 2.

How to Bet Panthers at Falcons NFL Week 2 Odds & Game Info

• When: Sunday, 1 PM ET
• Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
• TV: Fox
• NFL Week 2 Odds: Atlanta Falcons -5.5 (Total 44)

Weather Forecast

• Clear: 29°C/85°F
• Humidity: 53%
• Precipitation: 0%
• Cloud Cover: 22%
• Wind: 9 mph NW
• Stadium Type: Retractable

Last Season

The teams split last year. In Week 9 in Charlotte, the Panthers won 20-17. Cam Newton ran for 86 yards and a touchdown and the Panthers stormed back from an early 10-point deficit. Carolina ran for 201 yards. Christian McCaffrey had 66 yards and a TD. Carolina scored two touchdowns in the final 2:35 of the first half to take a 14-10 lead into the locker room. Matt Ryan threw for 313 yards and two touchdowns and had one costly first-half interception. In Atlanta in Week 17, the Falcons won 22-10 to clinch a wild-card spot. Matt Bryant kicked five field goals, including a 56-yarder, for all of Atlanta’s second-half points. Ryan completed 28 of 45 passes for 317 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown pass to Devonta Freeman on Atlanta’s opening drive, and no interceptions. Newton threw three second-half interceptions.

Why Bet on Carolina?

The Panthers looked great on defense in Sunday’s 16-8 win over Dallas. Cam Newton completed 17-of-26 passes for 161 yards and rushed for 58 yards and one touchdown on 13 carries. Carolina’s backfield essentially split carries behind Newton as Christian McCaffrey handled 10 carries and C.J. Anderson mustered seven. McCaffrey rushed 10 times for 50 yards and caught 6-of-9 targets for 45 yards. Star tight end Greg Olsen exited early with a foot injury, which allowed McCaffrey to flourish even more in Carolina’s passing game. His nine targets and 45 receiving yards were both team-highs. Olsen re-injured his right foot that he suffered a Jones fracture in last season. It sure seems unlikely that he plays for a while. Fourth-round TE Ian Thomas is expected to replace Olsen. He has impressed with his smooth route running and catching, and his effectiveness as a blocker. In addition, starting right tackle Daryl Williams was carted off against the Cowboys. Williams dislocated his kneecap and tore his MCL in training camp but returned to start against Dallas. He was carted off in the second half after taking a hit to that same knee. Corey Robinson replaced Williams at right tackle and should be the starter there moving forward. Carolina remains without excellent linebacker Thomas Davis, who is suspended the first four games. The team’s practice routine could be affected this week by Hurricane Florence. Coach Ron Rivera said the team will adjust as necessary depending on where the storm hits and the severity of it, but it’s headed right for North Carolina.

Team Statistics

Offense

• Average Score For: 16.00
• Total Yards: 293.00
• Rush Yards: 147.00
• Passing Yards: 146.00

Defense

• Average Score Against: 8.00
• Total Yards: 232
• Rush Yards: 94.00
• Passing Yards: 138.00

Why Bet on Atlanta?

The Falcons are on extra rest after losing at Philadelphia 18-12 last Thursday. The team couldn’t punch it in near the Philly end zone in the final minute. Matt Ryan completed 21-of-42 passes for 251 yards, zero touchdowns, and an interception. Ryan was holding onto the ball for far too long. His interception was a wild underthrow to Julio Jones. Ryan did find Jones 10 times for 169 yards but beyond that was inexcusably bad. He missed what should have been a 68-yard touchdown to Jones early in the third quarter. The 169 yards were the eighth most of Jones’ career. He has had monster games vs. Carolina in the past as well. First-round rookie WB Calvin Ridley was held without a catch on two targets in the Falcons’ Week 1 loss. Devonta Freeman rushed six times for 36 yards in the Falcons’ Week 1 loss to the Eagles before departing with a right knee injury. Before going down, Freeman failed to convert two carries from the Eagles’ one-yard line. Freeman is expected to play Sunday. Coach Dan Quinn that he was happy with the variety in offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian’s red zone playcalling despite the team going 1-for-5 in the red zone during that loss. The Falcons managed just nine points on those five red zone opportunities, with a 9-yard touchdown run by Tevin Coleman and a 21-yard field goal by Matt Bryant. Bryant missed the extra point on Coleman’s red zone score. Atlanta got one piece of terrible news from that loss as stellar strong safety Keanu Neal will miss the rest of the 2018 season. Neal tore his ACL via non-contact during the second half of Thursday’s game. Neal’s absence now paves the way for second-year pro Damontae Kazee, a standout on special teams, to enter a full-time role. Neal, had three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one interception last season as a Pro Bowler. The 2016 first-round draft pick from Florida had 116 combined tackles in 2017.

Team Statistics

Offense

• Average Score For: 12.00
• Total Yards: 299
• Rush Yards: 74.00
• Passing Yards: 225.00

Defense

• Average Score Against: 18.00
• Total Yards: 232.00
• Rush Yards: 113.00
• Passing Yards: 119.00

Latest Panthers at Falcons NFL Week 2 Betting Trends

• The Falcons are 14-2 SU and 13-3 ATS in their last 16 games at home in September
• The Falcons are 9-2 SU in their last 11 games vs divisional opponents
• The Panthers are 1-7 SU in their last eight games against their division on the road
• The Panthers are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games on the road
• The total has gone OVER in 6 of Carolina’s last 9 games
• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta’s last 5 games

Expert NFL Betting Prediction for Panthers at Falcons

Falcons win by a touchdown.