Washington Redskins (2-2 SU, 2-2 ATS) vs. Atlanta Falcons (4-0 SU, 4-0 ATS)
NFL Week 5
Date/Time: Sunday, October 11th, 1:00pm
Where: Georgia Dome Atlanta, GA
TV: Fox
by Bob, NFL Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: WAS +9 / ATL -9
Over/Under Total: 47.5
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This Sunday at 1:00pm, the Washington Redskins will head into the Georgia Dome in an attempt to be the first team to beat the Atlanta Falcons under new head coach, Dan Quinn. The Redskins enter at 2-2 while the Falcons are one of the six teams in the NFL who are still undefeated at 4-0. The Falcons are tied atop the NFC South with the Carolina Panthers, while the Washington Redskins are hanging on in the NFC East in a three way tie with the Giants and Cowboys.
The line opens with the Falcons has a nine point home favorite over the Redskins and the total points are set at 47.5. At this time, 62% of the bettors have faith that the Falcons continue their winning ways while it is a complete toss up on opinion with the total points. Both teams overall head to head records match their records against the spread. Not sure if that is any importance, but it is cool to know I guess. Anyhow, a nine point spread in the NFL is pretty big, but Atlanta is on a tear, so we shall see.
The Atlanta Falcons went 3-0 against NFC East teams to start the season. After barely beating the Eagles and Giants, then making a huge second half comeback against the Cowboys, many thought this team was just taking advantage of bad coaching and play by their opponents. Then this past Sunday happened. The Falcons absolutely destroyed the Houston Texans by a 48-21 score, and the game was not even that close to be honest. The Falcons recipe for success so far in 2015 has been just a completely different attitude. The roster is not that much different than it has been in the last few years, but they are playing heads and shoulders above how they did under Mike Smith. The defense is flying around making plays, the offensive line is keeping Matt Ryan upright for the most part, and wait for itthe Falcons have a running game!?! This team is starting to look good. Are they a true Super Bowl contender? Maybe not, but Dan Quinn has them believing they can play with anyone in the league, and so far, they have. Matt Ryan has the Falcons sitting as the number two passing team in all of the NFL but now the Falcons are also ranked in the upper half in rushing yards. The last two weeks, Devonta Freeman has gone off for the birds. He leads the NFL with 7 touchdowns and has back to back 100 yard games in his first two NFL starts. The key for this game is the defense. If Atlanta can continue making the big plays on the defensive side, Washington will have a tough time keeping up the pace. The Falcons are coming off a game against the Texans where the defense scored twice. If this happens again, it could be another blowout in the dome.
Now, yes, the Falcons have looked great but Washington has not been to total mess that many thought they would be, including myself. At 2-2, they find themselves right in the mix of the NFC East race. That entire division has underachieved so far and not only that, injuries have hit the Dallas Cowboys hard. Washington comes in with the 10th best scoring defense in the NFL and they also are the top ranked rushing offense in the league. This combination gives them a fighting chance in this game. The Falcons still have some minor O line issues that could be exposed and the Falcons are also not the best against the run. Washington could win this game. The key will be to keep Julio Jones and the Falcons offense somewhat in check and keep the game short and low scoring. The Redskins will not win a shootout. They need to use that league leading rushing game to go on long drives. Point blank.
Am I going to regret it again? Betting against the team that I love? I am a very emotionally vested Atlanta fan, but I feel like at some point they have to have a let down. Am I saying they lose this game? No. But I can see a close and low scoring battle in the fourth quarter. I like the Falcons to win 23-16, but that means I like the Washington Redskins to cover the 9.
Bobs Pick to Cover the Point Spread: TAKE THE WASHINGTON REDSKINS +9.
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