Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons Week 17 NFL Picks & Predictions 12/31/2017

Sunday, December 31, 2017

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Get todays NFL Odds & Lines on this game

The Carolina Panthers travel to Mercedes-Benz Stadium to take on the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, December 31, 2017. The opening line for this game has Atlanta as 3 point favorites. The over/under has been set at 47. The Panthers have an ATS record of 9-6-0 while their over/under record is 9-6-0. The Falcons have an over/under record of 5-10-0 and they are 6-9-0 against the spread.

Valuable Carolina Panthers Betting Trends

The Carolina Panthers are 9-6-0 against the over/under

The Carolina Panthers are 9-6-0 against the spread

Important Atlanta Falcons Betting Trends

The Atlanta Falcons are 5-10-0 against the over/under

The Atlanta Falcons are 6-9-0 against the spread

Key Carolina Panthers Injuries

12/24/17 LB Spencer Paysinger Undisclosed left last game, is "?" Sunday vs Atlanta
12/24/17 WR Damiere Byrd Knee left last game, is "?" Sunday vs Atlanta
12/24/17 WR Russell Shepard Shoulder is "?" Sunday vs Atlanta
12/24/17 LB Thomas Davis Suspension Served is probable Sunday vs Atlanta
12/24/17 G Trai Turner Concussion is "?" Sunday vs Atlanta
12/02/17 OL John Theus Illness IR
12/01/17 DE Charles Johnson Suspension 4-game suspension (eligible to return 12/31 vs Atlanta)
11/14/17 WR Curtis Samuel Ankle IR
11/03/17 DB Demetrious Cox Ankle IR
09/30/17 LB Jeremy Cash Calf IR
09/04/17 WR Brenton Bersin Shoulder IR

Key Atlanta Falcons Injuries

12/24/17 G Andy Levitre Triceps is "?" Sunday vs Carolina
12/24/17 TE Levine Toilolo Knee left last game, is "?" Sunday vs Carolina
10/31/17 LB Jordan Tripp Concussion IR
10/03/17 DE Jack Crawford Biceps IR

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Carolina Panthers are 10th in the NFL in points scored with 353. They have run 966 plays this season for 4,931 yards, which ranks them 17th in the league in total offense. The Panthers average 5.1 yards per play, which is 20th in the National Football League. As a team they have accumulated a total of 305 1st downs this year, placing them 10th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground Carolina has run for 2,015 yards as a team, which ranks 3rd in the NFL. They've run 466 times, averaging 4.3 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Panthers have been penalized on offense 78 times for 647 yards so far this season, which has them 32nd in the league in penalties. Cam Newton has thrown for 3,122 yards this season. He has completed 277 passes on 458 attempts for a completion percentage of 60.5%. His quarterback rating is 84.3. He averages 6.8 yards per pass attempt and 11.3 yards per completion.

Defensive Statistics

Carolina is 12th in the league in points allowed on defense with 305. They have surrendered a total of 4,703 yards on D, which is 7th in the NFL. The Panthers are ranked 19th in yards per play allowed with 5.3. Their pass defense has given up 6.1 net yards per pass attempt, placing them 18th in the league as a unit. Opposing offenses have completed 323 passes on 505 attempts against the Carolina Panthers defense this season, placing them 19th and 14th in the National Football League. The Carolina pass defense has also given up a total of 3,354 yards through the air, which is 18th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense has allowed 327 attempts for 1,349 yards this year, putting them in 6th place in the league against the run. The Panthers have committed 94 penalties for 807 yards on the defensive side of the ball this season. That ranks them 10th in the NFL. They've given up a score on 32.9% of possessions on defense, which is 13th in the league.

Special Teams Stats

Carolina is ranked 5th in the league in punt returns with 38. They've accumulated 303 punt return yards and average 8 yards per return, which is 19th in the NFL. Their longest punt return so far this year is 60 yards. They have returned 33 kicks for 739 yards on special teams, ranking 8th in kick return yardage. The Panthers average 22.4 yards per kick return and have a long of 103 yards this year. They are 12th in the league in all-purpose yards with 6,196. The Carolina Panthers have attempted 29 field goals this season and made 28, which is 13th in the National Football League. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 96.6%. Carolina Panthers kickers have made 92% of their extra points, going 33 for 36 this year. Their punters have totaled 2,938 yards on 64 punts, averaging 45.9 yards per punt. That places them 12th in the NFL in punting average.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Atlanta Falcons have run for 1,787 yards as a unit, which ranks 10th in the league. They've run 404 times, averaging 4.4 yards per rush as a unit. The Falcons have been penalized on offense 95 times for 858 yards so far this year, which has them 20th in the NFL in penalties. They are 15th in the National Football League in points scored with 331. They have run 912 plays this year for 5,466 yards, which ranks them 7th in the NFL in total offense. The Falcons average 6 yards per play, which is 4th in the league. As a team they have accumulated a total of 310 1st downs this season, ranking them 8th overall as an offensive unit. Matt Ryan has completed 314 throws while attempting 484 passes for a completion percentage of 64.9%. He has passed for 3,778 yards this year. He averages 12 yards per completion and 7.8 yards per pass attempt. His quarterback rating this season is 91.4.

Defensive Statistics

The Falcons rush defense has given up 378 attempts for 1,578 yards this season, putting them in 11th place in the NFL against the run. They have had 98 penalties for 845 yards on defense this year. That places them 16th in the league. They've allowed a score on 37.5% of possessions on defense, which is 24th in the NFL. Atlanta is 11th in the NFL in points surrendered on defense with 305. They have given up a total of 4,846 yards on D, which is 10th in the league. The Falcons are 15th in yards per play allowed with 5.2. Their pass defense has allowed 5.9 net yards per pass attempt, ranking them 12th in the National Football League. Opponent offenses have completed 348 throws on 519 attempts against the Atlanta Falcons defense this season, ranking them 30th and 19th in the league. The Falcons pass defense has also surrendered a total of 3,268 yards in the air, which is 12th overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The Atlanta Falcons have tried 34 field goals this season and made 29, which is 11th in the league. Their kickers have a FG percentage of 85.3%. Atlanta kickers have made 100% of their extra points, going 34 for 34 this season. Their punters have accumulated 2,146 yards on 48 punts, averaging 44.7 yards per punt. That ranks them 17th in the NFL in punting average. Atlanta is 29th in the NFL in punt returns with 23. They've totaled 180 punt return yards and are averaging 7.8 yards per return, which is 20th in the league. Their longest punt return this season is 27 yards. They have returned 39 kicks for 871 yards on special teams, placing them 4th in kick return yardage. The Falcons average 22.3 yards per kick return and have a long of 61 yards this season. They are 5th in the National Football League in all-purpose yards with 6,667.

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

Tony's Pick: Take the Panthers +3

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