After a few weeks of National Football League action you would not have thought the Atlanta Falcons would be favored this week over the Carolina Panthers. The Falcons lost at home in their opener to the Philadelphia Eagles, 32-6. The Panthers beat the New York Jets on opening day and followed that victory with two more wins against the New Orleans Saints and Houston Texans.
The Falcons got blown out in second week action by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and lost their third game in four starts with a defeat to Washington following a narrow three point win over the hapless New York Giants.
Okay, after those two starts to their seasons, how do we end up with the Panthers getting points today in Atlanta?
Two reasons. First, the Panthers haven’t won since their third week triumph over the talent challenged Texans. And second, the Falcons have won three of their most recent four games. Atlanta followed their setback to Washington with victories over the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins.
Wait, the Falcons are now favored against the Panthers because they beat the Jets and Dolphins?
Here is the deal, I’m not sure what team is better when these two tangle at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium today, but I know which squad is in a better position motivationally to have their performance spiked.