Falcons vs Panthers NFL Week 16 Spread, Preview & Pick

Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers will be looking to snap an ugly losing streak when they host Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons in a Week 16 NFC South divisional matchup that pits two underachieving teams looking to close out their respective 2018 campaigns on a positive note. If you’re looking for some expert NFL predictions in Week 16, then let’s get to my pick on this pairing right now.

Falcons vs Panthers NFL Week 16 Spread, Preview & Pick

When: Sunday, December 23, 2018 at 1:00 PM ET
Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
TV: FOX

Weather Forecast

Clear: 12^°C/54^°F
Humidity: 46%
Precipitation: 0%
Wind: 6 mph SW
Cloud Cover: 2%
Type of Stadium: Open

Why Bet on Atlanta at +3?

Why should you consider betting on Atlanta in this contest? Well, the best reason would be because they got a feel-good win last weekend and Carolina is free-falling into oblivion with some seriously uninspiring play for the better part of the last two months. The Falcons halted their five-game losing streak by pounding Arizona 40-14 last weekend to cover the spread as a 10-point home favorite. Veteran quarterback Matt Ryan passed for 231 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions while running back Tevin Coleman added 145 rushing yards and one score on 11 carries. The Falcons average 25.4 points per game (10th) while allowing 27.2 points per contest defensively (29th).

Team Statistics

Offense:

Average Score For: 25.43
Total Yards: 379.21
Pass Yards: 288.50
Rush Yards: 90.71

Defense:

Average Score Against: 27.21
Total Yards: 377.50
Pass Yards: 251.21
Rush Yards: 126.29

Why Bet On Carolina at -3?

Are the Panthers a safe NFL betting pick in NFL Week 16?

Why should you consider betting on Carolina in this matchup? The best reason would be because the Panthers are playing at home. Carolina has fallen completely apart in losing six consecutive games including their crushing 12-9 loss to New Orleans as a 6-point home underdog on Monday. Cam Newton was limited to 131 passing yards with no touchdowns and one interception while Carolina was shut out in the game’s middle two quarters. The Panthers average 23.8 points per game (15th) while allowing 24.6 points per contest defensively (21st).

Team Statistics

Offense:

Average Score For: 23.79
Total Yards: 368.71
Pass Yards: 234.14
Rush Yards: 134.57

Defense:

Average Score Against: 24.57
Total Yards: 352.15
Pass Yards: 250.29
Rush Yards: 101.86

Falcons vs Panthers NFL Week 16 Betting Trends

Atlanta is 1-5 ATS in the last 6 games
Atlanta is 1-5 SU in the last 6 games
The total went UNDER in 4 of Atlanta’s last 6 games
Carolina is 1-5 ATS in the last 6 games
Carolina is 0-5 SU in the last 5 games
The total went UNDER in 4 of Carolina’s last 5 games

NFL Betting Prediction for Falcons vs Panthers

While it looks like Carolina has quit on head coach Ron Rivera, I don’t think that’s the case which is why I’m going to urge you to back Cam Newton and company to get the huge win in this divisional brawl. Atlanta has gone a nearly winless 1-5 ATS in their last six games overall and 1-6 ATS in their last seven games versus a team with a losing record. Conversely, Carolina the Panthers are 9-3 ATS in their last dozen home games while the home team in this NFC South divisional rivalry has gone 16-5 ATS in the last 21 meetings. Carolina might be a mess right now, but the falcons are in the same boat, even if they did look good in beating an overmatched opponent last weekend.

NFL Week 16 Pick: Carolina 30 Atlanta 24