The Atlanta Falcons and the Carolina Panthers meet Sunday in NFL action from Bank of America Stadium. Atlanta comes into this one at 6-7 overall following a loss to Tampa Bay last weekend. As for Carolina, they’re sitting at just 1-12 on the year. The Panthers fell to the Saints in their last outing. Let’s get into our Falcons vs. Panthers prediction. Check back all season long for free NFL picks at Sports Chat Place.

Atlanta Falcons 

The Falcons aren’t doing so great on offense this year. Atlanta is averaging just 19.3 points per game and giving up 20.7 points per game on the other side. Through the pass, the Falcons have put up 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Otherwise it’s been 132.2 yards per game and 12 scores coming via running plays. 

In their latest matchup versus Tampa Bay on Sunday, the Falcons were down 19-10 going into the fourth quarter and ended up losing 29-25 despite scoring 15 more points from there. QB Desmond Ridder posted 347 yards passing with one TD and one pick. Tyler Allgeier rushed nine times for 40 yards, and Drake London caught 10 balls for 172 yards. 

Atlanta Falcons Team Facts

• The underdogs have won seven of the Falcons’ last eight games.
• The Falcons have covered the spread in each of their last six December games against the Panthers.
• The Falcons have lost the first quarter in each of their last four games as road favorites.
• The home team has won the first half in four of the Falcons’ last five Week 15 games.
• The Falcons have scored the first touchdown in 12 of their last 15 games as favorites following a loss.

Carolina Panthers 

Over on the Panthers’ side, it’s been a lost season so far. Carolina is giving up 26.2 points per game on defense while scoring a measly 15.2 points per game themselves. The Panthers’ pass attack has yielded 11 TDs and nine interceptions. On the ground Carolina is averaging 104.3 yards per game with just five scores. 

Carolina racked up another defeat in their last matchup versus the Saints. In that one, the Panthers gave up 14 points in both the second and fourth quarters in a 28-6 result. QB Bryce Young finished with 137 yards, while Chubba Hubbard had 23 carries for 87 yards. Tops in receiving was Adam Thielen with 74 yards on five grabs. 

Carolina Panthers Team Facts

• The Panthers have lost each of their last nine games against NFC opponents.
• The Panthers have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine games as underdogs against NFC opponents.
• The Panthers have lost the first quarter in three of their last four Week 15 games.
• The Panthers have lost the first half in each of their last eight Sunday games.
• The Panthers have scored the first touchdown in four of their last five home games against the Falcons.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Panthers rank 32nd in the NFL in sacks this season (20.0).
• The Panthers rank 32nd in the NFL in forced fumbles this season (2).
• The Falcons rank 32nd in the NFL in average kickoff return (17.5 yards) this season.
• The Falcons rank 3rd in the NFL in Q4 win percentage this season (61.5).

ANDREW’S FREE FALCONS VS PANTHERS PREDICTION 

I’m sticking with the Falcons. That said, there’s very little to get excited about in this matchup. In their latest loss versus Tampa Bay, Atlanta posted 434 yards of offense (338 passing) with 23 first downs and just the one turnover. It probably should have been a victory, but the Falcons found another creative way to lose. That makes 25 or more points surrendered in each of Atlanta’s last four losses. The good news is that it shouldn’t be hard to contain the Panthers offense. 

Speaking of Carolina, they’ve been at 18 points or fewer in all seven games since the bye week. The Panthers defense has given up 21 or more points in four of the last six outings as well. Atlanta should have plenty of scoring opportunities in this one, but it’s not going to be a pretty game by any stretch.