Atlanta Falcons at New England Patriots Week 7 NFL Picks & Predictions 10/22/2017

Sunday, October 22, 2017

Gillette Stadium

Get todays NFL Odds & Lines on this game

The Atlanta Falcons head to Gillette Stadium to play the New England Patriots on Sunday, October 22, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has New England as 3.5 point favorites. The total has been set at 53.5. The Falcons are 2-3-0 against the spread and their over/under record is 2-3-0. The Patriots are 2-4-0 against the spread and their over/under mark is 4-2-0.

Valuable Atlanta Falcons Betting Trends

The Atlanta Falcons are 2-3-0 against the over/under

The Atlanta Falcons are 2-3-0 against the spread

Important New England Patriots Betting Trends

The New England Patriots are 4-2-0 against the over/under

The New England Patriots are 2-4-0 against the spread

Key Atlanta Falcons Injuries

10/15/17 DT Courtney Upshaw Ankle "?" Sunday vs. New England
10/15/17 LB Jermaine Grace Hamstring "?" Sunday vs. New England
10/15/17 WR Mohamed Sanu Hamstring "?" Sunday vs. New England
10/03/17 DE Jack Crawford Bicep IR
09/07/17 LB LaRoy Reynolds Pectoral IR

Key New England Patriots Injuries

10/15/17 DB Eric Rowe Groin "?" Sunday vs. Atlanta
10/15/17 LB Harvey Langi Back "?" Sunday vs. Atlanta
10/15/17 RB Rex Burkhead Ribs "?" Sunday vs. Atlanta
10/15/17 CB Stephon Gilmore Concussion "?" Sunday vs. Atlanta
09/22/17 DT Vincent Valentine Knee IR
09/06/17 WR Malcolm Mitchell Knee IR
09/05/17 WR Julian Edelman ACL IR
09/04/17 LB Shea McClellin Undisclosed IR
09/01/17 CB Cyrus Jones ACL IR

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Atlanta Falcons are 15th in the National Football League in points scored with 121. They have run 306 plays this year for 1,892 yards, which ranks them 18th in the NFL in total offense. The Falcons average 6.2 yards per play, which is 2nd in the league. As a team they have accumulated a total of 107 1st downs this season, ranking them 19th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground Atlanta has run for 603 yards as a unit, which ranks 16th in the league. They've run 126 times, averaging 4.8 yards per rush as a unit. The Falcons have been penalized on offense 32 times for 293 yards so far this year, which has them 30th in the NFL in penalties. Matt Ryan has passed for 1,357 yards this year. He's completed 112 throws while attempting 170 passes for a completion percentage of 65.9%. His quarterback rating this season is 87.3. He averages 12.1 yards per completion and 8 yards per pass attempt.

Defensive Statistics

Atlanta is 8th in the NFL in points surrendered on defense with 109. They have given up a total of 1,562 yards on D, which is 3rd in the league. The Falcons are 7th in yards per play allowed with 4.9. Their pass defense has allowed 5.3 net yards per pass attempt, ranking them 4th in the National Football League. Opponent offenses have completed 115 throws on 188 attempts against the Atlanta Falcons defense this season, ranking them 10th and 14th in the league. The Atlanta pass defense has also surrendered a total of 1,052 yards in the air, which is 6th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense has given up 120 attempts for 510 yards this season, putting them in 11th place in the NFL against the run. The Falcons have had 36 penalties for 305 yards on defense this year. That places them 11th in the league. They've allowed a score on 40% of possessions on defense, which is 28th in the NFL.

Special Teams Stats

Atlanta is 24th in the NFL in punt returns with 5. They've totaled 62 punt return yards and are averaging 12.4 yards per return, which is 6th in the league. Their longest punt return this season is 27 yards. They have returned 5 kicks for 96 yards on special teams, placing them 17th in kick return yardage. The Falcons average 19.2 yards per kick return and have a long of 38 yards this season. They are 5th in the National Football League in all-purpose yards with 1,381. The Atlanta Falcons have tried 8 field goals this season and made 8, which is 2nd in the league. Atlanta Falcons kickers have made 100% of their extra points, going 9 for 9 this season. Their punters have accumulated 434 yards on 9 punts, averaging 48.2 yards per punt. That ranks them 7th in the NFL in punting average.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The New England Patriots have run for 613 yards as a team, which ranks 15th in the NFL. They've run 153 times, averaging 4 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Patriots have been penalized on offense 45 times for 398 yards so far this season, which has them 5th in the league in penalties. They are 4th in the NFL in points scored with 172. They have run 402 plays this season for 2,472 yards, which ranks them 1st in the league in total offense. The Patriots average 6.1 yards per play, which is 3rd in the National Football League. As a team they have accumulated a total of 145 1st downs this year, placing them 1st overall as an offensive unit. Tom Brady averages 8.4 yards per pass attempt and 12.8 yards per completion. He has completed 153 passes on 233 attempts for a completion percentage of 65.7%. His quarterback rating is 106.9. He has thrown for 1,959 yards this season.

Defensive Statistics

The Patriots rush defense has allowed 149 attempts for 695 yards this year, putting them in 22nd place in the league against the run. New England has committed 46 penalties for 406 yards on the defensive side of the ball this season. That ranks them 28th in the NFL. They've given up a score on 39.1% of possessions on defense, which is 24th in the league. They are 30th in the league in points allowed on defense with 159. They have surrendered a total of 2,644 yards on D, which is 32nd in the NFL. The New England Patriots are ranked 32nd in yards per play allowed with 6.6. Their pass defense has given up 7.8 net yards per pass attempt, placing them 31st in the league as a unit. Opposing offenses have completed 156 passes on 235 attempts against the New England defense this season, placing them 31st and 31st in the National Football League. The Patriots pass defense has also given up a total of 1,949 yards through the air, which is 32nd overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The New England Patriots have attempted 5 field goals this season and made 5, which is 14th in the National Football League. New England kickers have made 91% of their extra points, going 10 for 11 this year. Their punters have totaled 625 yards on 15 punts, averaging 41.7 yards per punt. That places them 32nd in the NFL in punting average. New England is ranked 25th in the league in punt returns with 4. They've accumulated 61 punt return yards and average 15.3 yards per return, which is 3rd in the NFL. Their longest punt return so far this year is 33 yards. They have returned 5 kicks for 93 yards on special teams, ranking 18th in kick return yardage. The Patriots average 18.6 yards per kick return and have a long of 26 yards this year. They are 1st in the league in all-purpose yards with 1,548.

Who will win tonight's Falcons/Patriots NFL game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take the Patriots -3.5

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