Atlanta Falcons Week 9 picks: Predicting each NFC South game
Oct 19, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (52) tries to tackle Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) during the third quarter at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Adnan Ikic
Atlanta Falcons (6-2) at San Francisco 49ers (2-6)
I couldn’t think of a better opponent for the Falcons to face coming off of an extremely frustrating and sloppy home defeat at the hands of the division rival Buccaneers.
The 49ers feature an offense without its best player in Carlos Hyde. Word also got out that they’ll be benching Colin Kaepernick in favor of Blaine Gabbert, and that San Fran made this move now so that Gabbert could play against a “weak” Falcons defense.
Atlanta’s defense isn’t bad, and the former No. 10 overall pick out of Mizzou will find that out the hard way. I wouldn’t be surprised if the defense holds the Niners to single digit points in this one.
As for the offense, they’ll run all over a team that just got gashed by Todd Gurley, repeatedly. Atlanta will get back on track in front of the bye.
Pick: Atlanta 31, San Francisco 7
Green Bay Packers (6-1) at Carolina Panthers (7-0)
That Panthers defense is what’s carried them to 7-0, not Cam Newton. That defense won’t be able to handle an inspired Aaron Rodgers, however, and the Carolina offense will be exposed as a result.
Pick: Green Bay 24, Carolina 14
Tennessee Titans (1-6) at New Orleans Saints (4-4)
Don’t look now, but the Saints are playing some inspired football since that win over Atlanta on Thursday Night. They shouldn’t have a hard time beating a paltry Titans team that just fired its head coach.
Pick: New Orleans 24, Tennessee 10
New York Giants (4-4) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-4)
The Bucs won’t get the benefit of having their opponent commit turnover after turnover the way the Falcons did. The Giants are angry that a 6 TD effort by Eli Manning still resulted in a loss, and they’ll take that anger out on Tampa.
Pick: New York 31, Tampa Bay 21
Last week: 1-2
Season: 16-9
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