Carolina Panthers vs Atlanta Falcons Picks and Odds Week 14

Carolina Panthers vs Atlanta Falcons Betting Preview

WagerTalk NFL handicapper Tony Mejia offers his Carolina Panthers vs Atlanta Falcons NFL Week 14 betting preview. At the time of posting, the Panthers have been bouncing back-and-forth between a 2.5 and 3-point home favorite over the visiting Falcons, with the total sitting at 41.5 points.

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Carolina Panthers vs Atlanta Falcons Predictions

• Carolina Panthers -2.5 vs Atlanta Falcons
• Total: 41.5 Points
• Atlanta has won and covered the spread in each of their last three trips to Carolina.

Cam Newton has a losing head-to-head record against Matt Ryan as a member of the Carolina Panthers. He likely never though he’d be able to make a dent into that 6-9 mark against the Falcons and his long-time nemesis when he was trying to impress Bill Belichick while holding off rookie Mac Jones as a member of the Patriots.

Even when he was ultimately cut and wound up sitting at home waiting for a phone call deep into the season, rejoining the team that selected him No. 1 a decade ago in 2011 didn’t seem like a realistic option. The Panthers had just gone out and acquired Sam Darnold and had turned the page to a Matt Rhule-led coaching staff in 2020 that had never worked with Newton, who moved on upon being released after playing just two games in ’19 due to a foot injury.

Much like they did with Newton, things haven’t gone as planned for Rhule, Darnold or the Panthers in a cursed season whose final chapter has yet to be written and will be determined without star RB Christian McCaffrey available to aid the cause. With five games remaining, Carolina still has a chance to make the playoffs or could wind up with a second straight 5-11 season if it fails to win another game. Given how strange 2021 has been for the Panthers, it could go either way.

Carolina used its bye week to part ways with offensive coordinator Joe Brady, once upon a time considered a play-calling savant at the college level. Things went especially poorly when McCaffrey was out of the lineup, which is again the case since the All-Pro running back has been shelved for the rest of the season due to an ankle injury after missing all but three games in 2020.

Darnold hitting the skids following a nice start didn’t help Brady’s cause, but he’s also currently sidelined due to a shoulder issue. Backup PJ Walker is better suited as a change-of-pace option, so Newton ultimately got the call to return on Nov. 11 , signing a deal that could earn up to $10 million. He’ll get another start coming off a bye and hopes the additional practice time will serve as galvanizing force going forward.

Running backs coach Jeff Nixon, a co-offensive coordinator at Baylor under Rhule, takes over the play-calling and looks to help reverse a trend that has seen Newton lose every one of his last 10 starts for the team. As for Rhule, the honeymoon appears over as his team is coming off a 33-10 loss to the Dolphins before getting last week off. They’ve now dropped seven of nine.

As a result, the Panthers join the Falcons and Saints in a three-way tie alongside the Saints in the battle for second place in the NFC West behind Tampa Bay. The loser of this Week 14 matchup between Atlanta and Carolina in Charlotte falls to 5-8 and can be written off. The winner moves to 6-7, which this season, means you’re right in the thick of the race for the final two NFC playoff spots now that there are seven to be had with the addition of a 17th regular-season game.

Washington and San Francisco entered Week 14 in sixth and seventh position at just 6-6, while Minnesota improved to 6-7 by holding off Pittsburgh on Thursday night. New Orleans would reach the same record if it avoids an upset against the Jets.

Although the Falcons come off a loss against Tampa Bay, they’re still only one game back in the NFC Wild Card race right alongside Carolina, which realistically makes this an elimination game. The Panthers won the first matchup in Atlanta 19-13 on Halloween back in Week 8 in a game where neither offense could get on track. Chuba Hubbard scored Carolina’s lone TD and Zane Gonzalez kicked four field goals, including an important 57-yarder just before halftime.

The Falcons were outscored 13-0 in the second half of Sunday’s loss in Tampa Bay and ended up with just one offensive touchdown, marking the third time in four games where the attack struggled. Ryan has beaten Newton-led Panthers teams in nine of 15 career meetings and is more likely to succeed here since he’s got more continuity built up with his weapons. Versatile Cordarelle Patterson is having a career year while rookie tight end Kyle Pitts continues to improve. It doesn’t appear that Calvin Ridley (mental health break) will return to the team but he is eligible to return from IR.

Getting back a WR1-type talent would be a welcome bonus for Atlanta’s stretch run, but his return isn’t a make-or-break thing. Even in an underdog role, the Falcons should be able to gain a split of the season series by handing Newton another loss.

💰 Which dogs are barkin’ this week? Who’s eating at the sandwich deli? Who’s riding the steam train? Join @kellyinvegas @MarcoInVegas @Greek_Gambler and @CalSportsLV for the #NFL Week 14 edition of #BetOnIt as we discuss this weekend’s betting slate.https://t.co/UIK9LU2Vay

— WagerTalk (@WagerTalk) December 9, 2021

Carolina Panthers vs Atlanta Falcons Analysis from The GoldSheet

Carolina Panthers vs Atlanta Falcons Video Preview

The Panthers made some interesting moves during their bye week. How will Cam Newton and Carolina’s offense respond with a new offensive coordinator and play caller at the helm? Tony Mejia offers his Carolina Panthers vs Atlanta Falcons betting preview.

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