Atlanta Falcons vs. Arizona Cardinals, 12/16/18 Week 15 Predictions

Falcons vs. Cardinals Spread Prediction

The Atlanta Falcons have lost five consecutive games but find themselves listed as a large favorite over the visiting Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Will the Falcons roll or stumble yet again?

Game Snapshot

323 Arizona Cardinals at 324 Atlanta Falcons

1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, December 16

Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

Public Betting Trends

According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetNow.eu, the Falcons are 9.5-point favorites to beat the Cardinals. The total, meanwhile, sits at 44 points. As of this writing, 55% of the public betting tickets are on the Falcons to cover the point spread.

Arizona Cardinals

David Johnson (quad) wasn't listed on the Cardinals' final injury report for Week 15 against the Falcons. Johnson was left off the injury report after getting in a full practice on Friday. DJ is riding a four-game touchdown drought at the moment, though he'll be in a get-right spot Sunday playing indoors against a vulnerable Falcons defense. We have him as our No. 13 running back for Week 15.

Atlanta Falcons

Julio Jones (foot, calf, illness) will play in Week 15 against the Cardinals. Jones was sent home from practice on Thursday but it was merely precautionary. He returned on Friday and was left off the team's final injury report. Though he's a fade candidate against shutdown corner Patrick Peterson's shadow coverage in DFS, Jones should be started everywhere as a matchup-proof WR1 in season-long.

NFL Betting Trends

Arizona

The Cardinals have covered the point spread in three of their last five road games with one push. They’re also 5-1-1 ATS in their last seven conference games.

Atlanta

The Falcons are just 1-5 against the number in their last six home games and are winless in five consecutive games, both on the field and at the betting window.

Prediction

I’ve faded Atlanta for over a month and it certainly has paid off, as the Falcons have lost five straight games both SU and ATS. That said, they should exercise some demons today. Talent-wise, the Cardinals don’t match up with the Falcons, even a banged-up Atlanta team. This is also the second time in three weeks they’re playing on the road, with an upset win in Lambeau, followed by an ugly home loss last Sunday to a mediocre Lions team, now they’re on the road again. Laying 9.5 points isn’t exactly a discount (especially with a struggling team) but I’m going to do it anyway. I see the Falcons winning in a rout.

NFL Week 15 Prediction: Atlanta Falcons -9.5