NFL Picks: Week 1 Panthers vs Falcons

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On Sunday, September 10, 2023, at 1:00 pm ET, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, is set to reverberate with the roars of the NFL fans as the Carolina Panthers and the Atlanta Falcons lock horns. These two teams, fresh from their pre-season preparations and strategizing, are hoping to better their records from the previous season. 

BUSR NFL Lines

Spread: Panthers +3.5 (-110), Falcons -3.5 (-110)

Moneyline: Panthers +144, Falcons -177

Total: O 40 (-110), U 40 (-110)

The future looks bright for Carolina, but is it close? 

Last year, the Carolina Panthers navigated a challenging season, culminating in a 7-10 overall record. In the divisional face-offs, they managed to pull off a commendable 4-2 standing, demonstrating their potential and prowess. Their performances, however, exhibited notable differences when comparing home and away games. At their home turf, the Panthers maintained a somewhat dominant presence, clocking in a 5-4 win-loss ratio. Conversely, road games proved to be a more daunting task, where they registered a 2-6 record.

Diving deeper into the team’s stats, their offensive unit managed to muster an average of 20.4 points every game, translating to an average yardage of 306.2. On the other hand, the defense, while formidable, yielded an average of 22 points and 350.2 yards in each outing. The squad was led by some stellar individual performances. Quarterback Baker Mayfield leads the squad with 1313 passing yards. D’Onta Foreman anchored the ground game, rushing for an impressive 914 yards. In the receiving department, D.J. Moore stood out, racking up 888 yards, cementing his position as the team’s primary pass-catcher.

Falcons youth movement have something to prove

Navigating through the highs and lows of the previous season, the Atlanta Falcons wrapped up the year with a 7-10 overall record. Within their division, the challenges seemed amplified, as they managed to secure just two victories against four losses. Reflecting on their performance dynamics, the Falcons showed commendable strength when playing on their home turf, boasting a 6-3 win-loss ratio. Yet, this dominance dwindled significantly during their away fixtures, with the team struggling and recording a meager 1-7 on the road.

Analyzing their gameplay further, the Falcons’ offense demonstrated a knack for scoring, averaging 21.5 points each game and amassing an average yardage of 318.6. However, the defensive unit found itself under pressure more often, conceding an average of 22.7 points and 362.1 yards every outing. Spearheading the team’s efforts, quarterback Marcus Mariota emerged as a central figure, racking up a decent 2219 passing yards. In the rushing domain, Tyler Allgeier showcased his skills, charging through defenses to accumulate 1035 yards. On the receiving end, Drake London emerged as Mariota’s favorite target, hauling in receptions that amounted to 866 yards over the season.

Analysis

BUSR NFL Odds currently have the Panthers as a 3.5-point underdog. The Panthers’ strategy sees a significant pivot from last year, with the debut of rookie quarterback Bryce Young. Frank Reich, their new head coach, while having a reputation as a tactical genius, will be steering a squad with discernible talent gaps. The Falcons, despite matching the Panthers’ record last season, face the challenge of shaping Desmond Ridder into their main quarterback. While his second NFL season is on the horizon, his experience remains limited. Given that both teams are closely matched in talent, predictions suggest a closely contested game, potentially decided by a field goal. For those looking to bet, it might be prudent to back the Panthers to cover the spread.

Injury Report 

Injury woes are a part of any sporting endeavor, and both teams are nursing their fair share. The Panthers’ lineup has been hit with several concerns: H. Anderson (DE) is sidelined with an undisclosed issue. A. Corbett (G) will be absent for an undetermined period due to a knee problem, and questions surround the availability of D. Chark Jr. (WR), M. Sanders (RB), and T. Marshall Jr. (WR) for Week 1. 

On the other hand, the Falcons are grappling with multiple injuries. Notable players like P. Hart (WR) and C. Armstrong (DB) are both out with concussions and hamstring issues, respectively. M. Hennessy (OL) and a host of others face an uncertain return timeline. The injury cloud casts uncertainty over J. Okudah’s (CB) participation, making him doubtful for Week 1 due to an ankle injury. These medical concerns will undeniably influence the tactical approach both teams will adopt in this impending clash.