Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers Week 16 NFL Picks & Predictions 12/23/2018

Sunday, December 23, 2018

Bank of America Stadium

Get todays NFL Odds & Lines on this game

The Atlanta Falcons travel to Bank of America Stadium to take on the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, December 23, 2018. The opening line for this game has Carolina as 3.5 point favorites. The over/under has been set at 47.5.

The Falcons have an ATS record of 4-10-0 while their over/under record is 8-6-0. The Panthers have an over/under record of 7-7-0 and they are 6-8-0 against the spread.

Valuable Atlanta Falcons Betting Trends

The Atlanta Falcons are 8-6-0 against the over/under

The Atlanta Falcons are 4-10-0 against the spread

Important Carolina Panthers Betting Trends

The Carolina Panthers are 7-7-0 against the over/under

The Carolina Panthers are 6-8-0 against the spread

Key Atlanta Falcons Injuries

12/18/18 RB Ito Smith Knee IR
12/17/18 WR Julio Jones Ribs injured last game, is probable Sunday vs Carolina
12/16/18 DT Terrell McClain Toe is questionable Sunday vs Carolina
12/04/18 LS Josh Harris Knee IR
12/01/18 DE Derrick Shelby Groin IR
10/24/18 G Brandon Fusco Ankle IR
10/16/18 RB Devonta Freeman Foot IR
09/25/18 S Ricardo Allen Achilles IR
09/19/18 G Andy Levitre Triceps IR
09/09/18 S Keanu Neal ACL IR

Key Carolina Panthers Injuries

12/17/18 K Graham Gano Knee is questionable Sunday vs Atlanta
12/07/18 G Amini Silatolu Knee IR
12/06/18 G Brendan Mahon Concussion IR
12/03/18 TE Greg Olsen Foot is out for season
12/01/18 WR Damiere Byrd Arm IR
10/19/18 LB Jared Norris Toe IR
09/27/18 S Da'Norris Searcy Concussion IR
09/12/18 T Daryl Williams Knee IR
09/04/18 S Damian Parms Shoulder IR
09/04/18 RB Elijah Hood Knee IR
09/04/18 WR Fred Ross Hip IR
09/04/18 T Jeremiah Sirles Hamstring IR
09/04/18 CB Kevon Seymour Shoulder IR
09/04/18 T Matt Kalil Knee IR
09/04/18 CB Ross Cockrell Leg IR
08/03/18 RB Fozzy Whittaker Knee IR

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Atlanta Falcons are 15th in the NFL in points scored with 356. They have run 886 plays this season for 5,310 yards, which ranks them 8th in the league in total offense. The Falcons average 6 yards per play, which is 5th in the National Football League. As a team they have accumulated a total of 309 1st downs this year, placing them 9th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground Atlanta has run for 1,270 yards as a team, which ranks 13th in the NFL. They've run 300 times, averaging 4.2 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Falcons have been penalized on offense 88 times for 773 yards so far this season, which has them 20th in the league in penalties. Matt Ryan has thrown for 4,307 yards this season. He has completed 376 passes on 538 attempts for a completion percentage of 69.9%. His quarterback rating is 107.6. He averages 8 yards per pass attempt and 11.5 yards per completion.

Defensive Statistics

Atlanta is 8th in the league in points allowed on defense with 381. They have surrendered a total of 5,283 yards on D, which is 9th in the NFL. The Falcons are ranked 13th in yards per play allowed with 5.9. Their pass defense has given up 6.7 net yards per pass attempt, placing them 10th in the league as a unit. Opposing offenses have completed 339 passes on 493 attempts against the Atlanta Falcons defense this season, placing them 25th and 16th in the National Football League. The Atlanta pass defense has also given up a total of 3,517 yards through the air, which is 12th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense has allowed 364 attempts for 1,766 yards this year, putting them in 9th place in the league against the run. The Falcons have committed 95 penalties for 885 yards on the defensive side of the ball this season. That ranks them 13th in the NFL. They've given up a score on 42.9% of possessions on defense, which is 21st in the league.

Special Teams Stats

Atlanta is ranked 30th in the league in punt returns with 18. They've accumulated 110 punt return yards and average 6.1 yards per return, which is 21st in the NFL. Their longest punt return so far this year is 18 yards. They have returned 26 kicks for 599 yards on special teams, ranking 6th in kick return yardage. The Falcons average 23 yards per kick return and have a long of 53 yards this year. They are 5th in the league in all-purpose yards with 6,306. The Atlanta Falcons have attempted 23 field goals this season and made 22, which is 8th in the National Football League. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 95.7%. Atlanta Falcons kickers have made 94% of their extra points, going 34 for 36 this year. Their punters have totaled 2,249 yards on 52 punts, averaging 43.3 yards per punt. That places them 16th in the NFL in punting average.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Carolina Panthers have run for 1,884 yards as a unit, which ranks 4th in the league. They've run 354 times, averaging 5.3 yards per rush as a unit. The Panthers have been penalized on offense 80 times for 722 yards so far this year, which has them 32nd in the NFL in penalties. They are 12th in the National Football League in points scored with 333. They have run 859 plays this year for 5,162 yards, which ranks them 19th in the NFL in total offense. The Panthers average 6 yards per play, which is 21st in the league. As a team they have accumulated a total of 302 1st downs this season, ranking them 12th overall as an offensive unit. Cam Newton has completed 320 throws while attempting 471 passes for a completion percentage of 67.9%. He has passed for 3,395 yards this year. He averages 10.6 yards per completion and 7.2 yards per pass attempt. His quarterback rating this season is 94.2.

Defensive Statistics

The Panthers rush defense has given up 336 attempts for 1,426 yards this season, putting them in 3rd place in the NFL against the run. They have had 81 penalties for 670 yards on defense this year. That places them 9th in the league. They've allowed a score on 39.6% of possessions on defense, which is 18th in the NFL. Carolina is 11th in the NFL in points surrendered on defense with 344. They have given up a total of 4,930 yards on D, which is 7th in the league. The Panthers are 18th in yards per play allowed with 5.8. Their pass defense has allowed 6.8 net yards per pass attempt, ranking them 19th in the National Football League. Opponent offenses have completed 324 throws on 481 attempts against the Carolina Panthers defense this season, ranking them 22nd and 15th in the league. The Panthers pass defense has also surrendered a total of 3,504 yards in the air, which is 18th overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The Carolina Panthers have tried 18 field goals this season and made 16, which is 17th in the league. Their kickers have a FG percentage of 88.9%. Carolina kickers have made 92% of their extra points, going 33 for 36 this season. Their punters have accumulated 2,467 yards on 55 punts, averaging 44.9 yards per punt. That ranks them 12th in the NFL in punting average. Carolina is 5th in the NFL in punt returns with 22. They've totaled 149 punt return yards and are averaging 6.8 yards per return, which is 19th in the league. Their longest punt return this season is 30 yards. They have returned 22 kicks for 473 yards on special teams, placing them 11th in kick return yardage. The Panthers average 21.5 yards per kick return and have a long of 32 yards this season. They are 16th in the National Football League in all-purpose yards with 5,997.

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

Tony's Pick: Take the Falcons +3.5

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