Atlanta Falcons open as heavy underdogs against Carolina Panthers

The Atlanta Falcons start the week as heavy underdogs against the Carolina Panthers.

Are you over the 38-0 hammering the Carolina Panthers laid on the Atlanta Falcons two weeks ago? Well, you best be, because it’s time for the rematch. This time, it will be taking place inside the Georgia Dome. But even with home field advantage, the Falcons are heavy underdogs.

Per OddsShark, the Panthers are 7.5-favorites. Is it at all surprising? Of course not. The Falcons needed to play the Jaguars to finally snap a six-game losing streak. Since starting the season 5-0, they have gone 2-7. Meanwhile, the Panthers also started 5-0 and have gone from strength to strength.

Their walk-off field goal victory over the New York Giants meant they improved to 14-0 on the season, just two wins away from becoming only the second team to finish a season a perfect 16-0. If the Panthers are to beaten, it will have to be at the hands of a division rival. If the Falcons can’t do it, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will get a shot in Week 17.

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This is Carolina’s final road game of the year. They would love nothing more than to play for the opportunity to go 16-0 in front of their home fans against Tampa Bay. And Dan Quinn’s team will be desperate to spoil the party.

Nonetheless, the odds are hardly a surprise. The Falcons have been playing poorly for much of the season, while the Panthers have been getting better with each passing week. Oh, and the fact they haven’t lost a single game helps too. The Panthers have rolled past the Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys (you know, the Cowboys with Tony Romo), and don’t look like slowing down any time soon.

Can the Falcons pull off the upset? How good would that feel?