Atlanta Falcons Week 9 picks: Predicting each NFC South game

December 23, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) passes to wide receiver Roddy White (84) before the game in the final regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Knight

Atlanta Falcons (6-2) at San Francisco 49ers (2-6)

The Falcons played an absolute stinker last week, coming alive in the final quarter to make it interesting against the Bucs. Yet they ultimately fell short because of turnovers, a problem that has been plaguing the team for the past three games. This problem has now cost Atlanta two games, and it needs to stop now. Atlanta is moving the ball with ease and stopping opponents on defense, but when you give the ball away 4-plus times in a game, you aren’t winning anything.

The good news is the Falcons face the truly horrific 49ers on Sunday in what is almost guaranteed to be a beatdown of epic proportions. The great Yo-Gabba-Gabbert is starting at QB, they traded away their only threat at TE, and the team seems to be dysfunctional in multiple aspects. Plus, they apparently called out Atlanta’s defense for being “weak”, which had Dan Quinn visibly irked.

I’m not expecting a Houston-level blowout, but this is the game that will get the Falcons back on track before their bye week. Atlanta should pummel a bad 49ers team in convincing fashion, and hopefully play mistake and turnover-free football on Sunday.

Pick: Atlanta 31, San Francisco 10

Green Bay Packers (6-1) at Carolina Panthers (7-0)

The Panthers aren’t as scary as a lot of people think, as a mediocre Colts team had them on the ropes and sent the game into overtime. Cam’s heroics will run out, and he’s not throwing the ball well at all this year. They will lose to good teams, and I expect that trend to start with Green Bay. The biggest key to beating Carolina is making them play from behind – Green Bay has a real shot at doing that.

Pick: Green Bay 27, Carolina 24

Tennessee Titans (1-6) at New Orleans Saints (4-4)

The New Orleans Saints have apparently started to remember how to play football, blowing up the scoreboard last week in a show of two absolutely terrible defenses. You won’t beat many good teams like that, folks, and the Saints know it. At 4-4, they aren’t quite dead yet, but every week remains a must-win if they wish to continue to hunt for a wild-card berth.

Pick: New Orleans 24, Tennessee 17

New York Giants (4-4) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-4)

Tampa played some really shoddy football last week, but got away with it because the Falcons played worse. Winston is improving as an NFL QB, but he’s not quite there yet and the offensive line will continue to limit this offense’s capability. Doug Martin should continue to find success against a pretty bad Giants defense, but Tampa hasn’t proven they can stop anyone on defense yet.

Pick: New York 31, Tampa Bay 24

Last week: 1-2
Season: 15-10

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