Atlanta at Carolina (09/28/2008)

Away:  Atlanta [2-1 ATS]
Home:  Carolina [1-1-1 ATS]

Game Time: 1:00 PM
Stadium: Bank of America Stadium

Recent Meetings:
N/A

Team Leaders:

Atlanta:
Passing: Matt Ryan (511)
Rushing: Michael Turner (366)
Receiving: Roddy White (232)

Carolina:
Passing: Jake Delhomme (566)
Rushing: Jonathan Stewart (145)
Receiving: Muhsin Muhammad (140)

More:
Live Odds
In-Depth Matchup Information
Consensus Betting Information

both teams are overrated, because Atlanta has played 2 of the worst teams in the NFL (Detroit and Kansas City), and Carolina pulled out 2 squeakers and a solid victory over Minnesota.

nonetheless, i like Carolina - 7 in this game, Turner will have a tough going and that doesn't bode well for Mr. Ryan.

Carolina won two squeekers and lost to Minn. Atl has won against two horrible teams that will be this years Miami.  I think Smith and DelHomo gets on the same page at home.  I do think Atl will do better in their second road game but not sure if they keep it close enough to cover.  However, the way the line is moving, Vegas wants you to bet on Car. 

I'm leaning towards Car to rebound at home and cover the 7

edit: Carolina pulled out 2 squeakers and lost to Minn

I'll agree that Atlanta is a better team than last year when they played in charlotte, but how are the panthers not better too?

They started vinny testaverde and were still riding the scrub deshaun foster.  and any team can cover a top reciever w/ vinny throwing the ball and drew carter, dwayne jarrett, and jeff king as the other options. Muhammad,  Rosario, and Hackett are much more dangerous, and the ATL secondary can't key solely on Smith.

And I would disagree that Carolina's running attack is a joke, not great by any means, but stewart and williams have shown decently except against the huge front 7 of minny.

I see no reason to believe that the Falcons can shut down an average running game. Yes, they shut down Kevin Smith (woo hoo), but they got torn apart by Ernest Graham, Larry Johnson, and Jamaal Charles (the latter two behind a very poor o-line).

Also, don't get me wrong, I think Turner is a top running back, but he has put up huge games on the Chiefs and the Lions, and struggled against the good D of TB. His title of rushing leader is based on the weak competition. Carolina's D is obviously better than KC or DET, but not as good as TB, so take that however you please.

John Abraham will definitely cause problems, no arguments there.

I feel the comparisons to the 1996 game and the 2007 are pretty worthless tbh. I will probably make a small play on Carolina, b/c I trust Delhomme, and I though I give Atlanta props for playing better than expected, I don't see why they should be trusted to keep it within a TD at Carolina based just on efforts against the 2nd and 3rd worst teams in the league.

Atlanta is getting better, bet they won't beat Carolina at home.  Carolina will cover with good defense and a balanced offense

All over Atlanta here with the points...
potential upset of the week...

The Panthers have already beaten the Bears and the Chargers.  This team is very capable of handling the Falcons by 10 points.

Panthers  (-7)

DeAngelo Hall isn't playing in the secondary for the Falcons.  I know for a fact that Steve Smith is itching to make some big plays in this game.   He only has two career touchdowns vs the Falcons-  I am almost certain this will change.  Matt Ryan's first division road game, he started 0-9 with 2 ints in the first half I believe.  29.6 qb rating for the game.  To me, this doesn't look like a spot where I can take Ryan as a road dog.

just like AP and Chestor

youll see Turner and Norwood with mrWhite allllllll over this Panther Pride Defense

Falcons will be the first to score
and the last

they will cover the 7 and maybe upset the disruptive panthers and STEEEVE SMITH

he will get over 70 yards tho