Bills vs. Falcons Pick
While their playoff hopes have been dashed, the Atlanta Falcons still have plenty to play for when they host the Buffalo Bills at 1:00PM ET on Sunday.
The Bills lost to the Patriots 17-10 as a 7-point underdog in Week 15, as the combined score fell under the posted total of 41.5 points. Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 178 yards with a touchdown and an interception for Buffalo, while Fred Jackson chipped in 80 rushing yards on 15 carries.
The Falcons beat the Jets 10-7 as a 5-point underdog in Week 15, while the combined score fell under the posted total of 36 points. Matt Ryan threw for 152 yards with a touchdown for Atlanta, while tight end Tony Gonzalez caught three passes for 32 yards and the game-winning touchdown.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL.com have made the Falcons 9-point home favorites over the Bills in Week 16. The over/under total for today’s game has been set at 41 points.
The Falcons have been officially eliminated from the playoffs, but if they win their last two games they’ll finish with back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in franchise history.
Our free pick prediction for this game is Atlanta –9 and the under 41. The Falcons are 5-2 against the spread in their last seven games at home, while the under has hit in four of Atlanta’s last five games at home and in four of Buffalo’s last five games on the road.
Second year quarterback Brian Brohm is expected to get his first career start, which doesn’t bode well for the Bills. Young quarterbacks usually have a tough time in their first games and we don’t think Brohm will be the exception. Atlanta has struggled against the pass this season, but they looked good last week in New York and Buffalo isn’t an offensive juggernaut as it is.
Ryan is expected to start for the Falcons and with rookie of the year candidate Jarius Byrd out for the Bills, we expect “Matty Ice” to have plenty of success through the air in leading the Falcons to a big win.
Our NFL Week 16 Free Pick for this matchup is: ATLANTA FALCONS -9 and UNDER 41.
Bills vs. Falcons Current Odds
109 Buffalo Bills +9 (+325 moneyline) Over 41
110 Atlanta Falcons –9 (-450 moneyline) Under 41
Buffalo is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Buffalo’s last 5 games when playing Atlanta
Atlanta is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta’s last 5 games
BUFFALO
[OT] 10/01/2009 – Brad Butler IR ( Knee )
[TE] 09/22/2009 – Derek Schouman IR ( Knee )
[CB] 10/01/2009 – Leodis McKelvin IR ( Fibula )
[LB] 10/12/2009 – Marcus Buggs IR ( Knee )
[LB] 10/14/2009 – Kawika Mitchell IR ( Knee )
[LB] 11/20/2009 – Keith Ellison IR ( Quad )
[OL] 11/16/2009 – Demetrius Bell IR ( Knee )
[CB] 12/20/2009 – Ashton Youboty "?" Sunday vs. Atlanta ( Ankle )
[TE] 11/18/2009 – Derek Fine IR ( Knee )
[C] 11/25/2009 – Seth McKinney IR ( Knee )
[OL] 11/23/2009 – Eric Wood IR ( Knee )
[OG] 12/18/2009 – Kendall Simmons IR ( Shoulder )
[OT] 12/20/2009 – Jamon Meredith "?" Sunday vs. Atlanta ( Ankle )
[QB] 12/23/2009 – Trent Edwards IR ( Ankle )
[CB] 12/22/2009 – Terrence McGee IR ( Shoulder )
[QB] 12/21/2009 – Ryan Fitzpatrick injured last game, "?" Sunday vs. Atlanta ( Ankle )
[QB] 12/21/2009 – Brian Brohm expected to start Sunday vs. Atlanta ( None )
[S] 12/23/2009 – Jairus Byrd IR ( Groin )
[LB] 12/23/2009 – Bryan Scott injured last game, "?" Sunday vs. Atlanta ( Concussion )
[WR] 12/23/2009 – Justin Jenkins "?" Sunday vs. Atlanta ( Knee )
[WR] 12/25/2009 – James Hardy "?" Sunday vs. Atlanta ( Illness )
[LB] 12/25/2009 – Ashlee Palmer "?" Sunday vs. Atlanta ( Ankle )
[CB] 12/25/2009 – Drayton Florence "?" Sunday vs. Atlanta ( Illness )
[S] 12/25/2009 – Todd Johnson "?" Sunday vs. Atlanta ( Hamstring )
ATLANTA
[S] 10/27/2009 – William Moore IR ( Hamstring )
[WR] 08/05/2009 – Harry Douglas IR ( Leg )
[DT] 09/27/2009 – Peria Jerry IR ( Knee )
[CB] 11/04/2009 – Brian Williams IR ( ACL )
[S] 11/05/2009 – Jamaal Fudge IR ( Knee )
[LS] 11/05/2009 – Mike Schneck IR ( Ribs )
[RB] 12/20/2009 – Michael Turner "?" Sunday vs. Buffalo ( Ankle )
[OG] 12/20/2009 – Harvey Dahl "?" Sunday vs. Buffalo ( Ankle )
[LB] 12/08/2009 – Tony Gilbert IR ( Hamstring )
[CB] 12/20/2009 – Chris Houston "?" Sunday vs. Buffalo ( Hamstring )
[DE] 12/20/2009 – Jamaal Anderson "?" Sunday vs. Buffalo ( Chest )
[WR] 12/14/2009 – Brian Finneran IR ( Knee )
[S] 12/21/2009 – Antoine Harris IR ( Knee )
Posted: 12/27/09 7:20AM ET