Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons (10/30/2022): Betting Odds, Prediction, Depth Charts

By Jack Smith | Oct 27, 2022, 9:20am

Contents

Entering near the midway point of the NFL season at week eight, we have a divisional matchup in the NFC South of the Carolina Panthers against the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons entered this year with very low expectations after a long-tenure with Matt Ryan, finally ending that relationship and starting Marcus Mariota this season while also having rookie backup Desmond Ridder as the long-term answer in the near future. But the Falcons have surprised many this year and have been competitive in every game they’ve played. They stand at 3-4 currently but also tied for the top of the NFC South in down year for the division.

The Panthers didn’t have the highest expectations but the season has only gotten worse and worse. QB Baker Mayfield did not get off to the best start and now QB P.J. Walker has been starting while Mayfield deals with injury. Head Coach Matt Rhule was let go after a 1-4 start and a mediocre tenure with Carolina. Interim Head Coach Steve Wilks got in a screaming match with WR Robbie Anderson his first game and sent him packing to Arizona. The Panthers have also moved long-time star RB Christian McCaffery letting everyone know a tank is in season. But then they came out and dominated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 21-3 and now stand at 2-5. Can they grow on this momentum? Let’s get into this game’s odd and predictions:

Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons Betting Odds

The Falcons enter this game favorites at home with moneyline odds of -230. They also enter tight spread line favorites of 4.5 points. The Falcons are no surprise to be the favorite after their scrappy start to the year, while the Panthers have been rocky. But the Falcons are coming off a tough loss against the Bengals, while the Panthers are on a one game winning streak. The craziest thing is that the Panthers are only one game from the top of the NFC South in a division that is still wide open. The Bucs are still the favorite to take it, but if one of those teams finds a way to win in week eight, they certainly still have a path to the playoffs.

The over/under total is currently placed at 42 points. The Panthers average 17.7 points per game, while the Falcons average 23.3 points. So neither average high points while the Panthers average 21.3 points allowed while the Falcons average 24.4 allowed.

Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons Picks & Predictions

My Pick: Atlanta Falcons -4.5 (-110)

I like the Falcons at home and I like the way Mariota has looked in this offense. They’re wins this season are against the Seahawks, Browns, and the 49ers which are all decent wins. They narrowly had a chance to win against the Buccaneers before a controversial roughing the passer call. The Panthers did get a big win last week but I think they get back to ground level next week after already losing three of the major starters halfway through the season with Mayfield, Anderson, and Mccaffrey and think the Falcons take this win by a touchdown or two.

The over/under is an interesting line at a low 42 points. Both of these teams aren’t the best offenses though, while their defenses are averaging less than 25 points allowed per game. I like the under in this game and could see this being low-scoring unless Atlanta can put on a big offensive performance.

Betting Trends

-The Falcons are 5-0 ATS in their last five games against the NFC.
-They are also 6-1 ATS in their last seven games overall.
-The Panthers are 0-6 ATS in their last six road games.
-Panthers are 2-7 ATS against the Falcons in their last nine games.
-The Under is 6-1 in the last seven Panthers games.

Key Injuries

Carolina Panthers
Sam Darnold, IR
Henry Anderson, questionable
Jaycee Horn, questionable
Matt Ionnidis, questionable
Baker Mayfield, questionable

Atlanta Falcons:
Jared Bernhardt, IR
Jaylinn Hawkins Hawkins, out
A.J. Terrell, questionable
Dee Alford, questionable

Panthers vs Falcons Key Matchups

Marcus Mariota vs. Carolina Panthers Defense
Marcus Mariota is coming off a couple years of being a backup after being a high draft pick in 2014. He is getting his resurgence with the Falcons and back to commanding under center, and has gotten off to a decent start. He has a passer rating of 90.4 through seven games and over 1,000 passing yards. If he can continue his decent playing against the Panthers for a win, you never know if he could stick around as the Falcons QB for more than just a short-time.

Carolina Panthers Depth Chart

QB: P.J. Walker
RB1: Chubba Hubbard
RB2: D’Onta Foreman
LWR: D.J. Moore
RWR: Laviska Shenault Jr.
SWR: Shi Smith
TE1: Ian Thomas

Carolina Panthers Team Pages

Atlanta Falcons Depth Chart

QB: Marcus Mariota/a>
RB1: Tyler Allgeier
RB2: Caleb Huntley
LWR: Damiere Byrd
RWR: Drake London
SWR: Olamide Zaccheaus
TE1: Kyle Pitts

Atlanta Falcons Team Pages

Jack Smith

Jack is a Hoosier by birth and Hoosier by alum. Full of hot takes but sharper predictions. Residing now in the Chicago area. When he's not chowing down on deep dish pizza and Italian beef, he's watching and betting sports. Junkie for everything CBB, NBA, NFL, CFB, and MLB. Here to feed you a system to follow that might even be better than the one Tom Brady was gifted his whole career.