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Atlanta Falcons v Carolina Panthers: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Only one NFC play-off place remains available heading into NFL Week 18 and the Atlanta Falcons are hoping to claim it by pipping the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the NFC South title.

The teams play their final regular season games simultaneously on Sunday and the Buccaneers have the advantage with their superior 9-7 record.

Even so, if their rivals slip up against the New Orleans Saints, the 8-8 Falcons would pip them thanks to their two head-to-head wins over Tampa Bay this season, but only if they can win their game against the Carolina Panthers at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The Falcons went close to a third successive win when going down 30-24 after overtime on the road at the Washington Commanders last week and rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr has made a positive early impression since taking over from Kirk Cousins.

The Panthers have shown signs of potential in a tough season but they are 4-12 after losing five of their last six games and went down 38-20 in their first meeting of the season with the Falcons.

CAR Panthers @ ATL Falcons

Atlanta Falcons v Carolina Panthers prop bets - tips and predictions 

Tyler Allgeier over 33.5 rushing yards - 10/11

The Falcons are finally starting to make the most of their young offensive talent and lead running back Bijan Robinson has come into his own of late with 90 or more rushing yards in his last five games.

He's not the only talented back at the team's disposal, though, and back-up Tyler Allgeier is a bruising runner who should relish another crack at the Panthers defence.

Allgeier led the way in the teams' first meeting of the season, rumbling for 105 yards and a touchdown in Atlanta's 38-20 win as he and Robinson combined for 200 rushing yards and three scores between them.

Allgeier took a back seat against the Commanders last week but had 11-plus carries in the previous two games and may not need many touches to get over his rushing yards line.

Kyle Pitts over 26.5 receiving yards - 10/11

Tight end Kyle Pitts has not yet proved to be the generational talent he was touted to be when he joined the NFL ranks before the 2021 season. However, he remains an elite athlete and is starting to contribute more to the team's success.

Pitts scored the touchdown which took last week's game against the Commanders into overtime, and his tally of four catches for 44 yards was his best effort for six weeks.

His TD may have served as a reminder to the team of the asset they possess and he should have a strong chance to exceed his modest receiving yards line.

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Atlanta Falcons v Carolina Panthers money line, spread, over/under

Money Line

Spread

Over/Under

Falcons

4/17

-8.0 – 10/11

Over 48.0 – 10/11

Panthers

13/4

+8.0 – 10/11

Under 48.0 - 10/11

Atlanta Falcons v Carolina Panthers spread pick - Falcons -8.0 - 10/11

The Falcons came up just short against the Commanders last week and may have to pay a heavy price as their season will end on Sunday unless the Saints can upset the Buccaneers in the other NFC South clash.

The home team should be able to put themselves in a position to benefit from any slip-up by the Bucs, though, and can round out their campaign with a comfortable victory.

The Falcons have underachieved at times this season but are ending the year with plenty of hope for the future with their young offensive stars starting to mature and rookie QB Michael Penix Jr showing why the team drafted him in the first round.

The Panthers are also ending the season in a better place than they have been for most of it, but despite the spirit they have shown in recent weeks, there is no incentive for them to worsen their draft position by winning in Week 18. Their effort in last week's 48-14 loss to the Buccaneers was poor.

Carolina might be expected to put up a better show if this game was at home, but on the road in a noisy Mercedes-Benz Stadium it would be no surprise to see them going through the motions, enabling the Falcons to cover the handicap.

Read Atlanta Falcons v Carolina Panthers how to watch, TV channel, head-to-head stats, team news and more on site.

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.

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