Falcons vs. Panthers Spread Prediction
The Panthers look to get back to .500 with a win over the struggling Falcons on Thursday night in a matchup of NFC South rivals. That said, will Atlanta pull off the small upset as a 2-point underdog?
Game Snapshot
101 Atlanta Falcons (+2) at 102 Carolina Panthers (-2); o/u 51
8:20 p.m. ET, Thursday, October 29, 2020
Venue: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
TV: NFL Network/FOX
Atlanta Falcons Game Notes
Calvin Ridley caught 5-of-7 targets for 69 yards and one touchdown in the Falcons’ Week 7 loss to the Lions. He also caught a two-point conversion following a Todd Gurley touchdown. Ridley’s short touchdown grab was his sixth score of the year. The WR1 has been one of the most prolific touchdown scorers since he entered the league in 2018. He’s a threat for multiple touchdowns every week and will be a top-five play next week against the Panthers.
Carolina Panthers DFS Spin
Panthers released CB Eli Apple. Apple could not practice Tuesday, and it was apparently the final straw. Per The Athletic’s Joe Person, Apple left Tuesday’s session early after “telling coaches he couldn’t go on his injured hamstring today.” This sounds like a grievance in the making. Apple was active in Week 7 for only his second appearance all year after missing time with hamstring and ankle issues. It caps a bizarre year for Apple, who had a one-year, $6 million agreement with the Raiders fall apart after nearly one month. He then didn’t land in Carolina until 56 days later. Never terribly effective, 25-year-old Apple was decent for the Saints in 2019. Perhaps he just needs another change of scenery.
Thursday Night Football Point Spread Prediction
The home team is 11-5 against the spread in the last 16 meetings between these two teams, while Carolina is 4-1 against the number in its last five games overall. The Panthers are also 7-1 against the spread in their last eight games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game and have cashed in seven of their last nine games when playing in the month of October. The Falcons, meanwhile, are 1-4 against the spread in their last five conference games, are 6-22 ATS in their last 28 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game and are 8-21 at the betting window in their last 29 games played in the month of October.
NFL WEEK 8 THURSDAY NIGHT POINT SPREAD PICK: CAROLINA PANTHERS -2