NFL: Falcons vs. Seahawks Predictions Against the Spread 11/20/17
Will the Atlanta Falcons cover the spread as a small road favorite tonight when they visit the Seattle Seahawks at 8:30 p.m. ET?
The Odds: Falcons (5-4) at Seahawks (6-3), 8:30 p.m. ET
According to oddsmakers, Seattle is now a 1-point home underdog for tonight’s game against Atlanta. The Falcons had opened as a 3-point road underdog but the line jumped the fence in the last few hours. The total, meanwhile, is up to 46 points at most sportsbooks. That number hit the board at 45.
The Falcons enter play with a 5-4 record overall and a 3-2 mark on the road. The Seahawks, meanwhile, are 6-3 on the year and 3-1 at home. From a betting standpoint, Atlanta is 3-6 against the spread this season and 1-4 ATS on the road. Seattle is 3-5-1 at the betting window and 1-3 ATS at home, so something has to give tonight.
Atlanta Falcons Injury Report
The Falcons will be without starting running back Devonta Freeman, who is out with a concussion. Guard Andy Levitre is also questionable with a knee injury. Punter Matt Bosher is dealing with an ankle injury as well and is questionable.
Meanwhile, cornerback Jalen Collins continues to serve a 10-game PED suspension. Linebacker Duke Riley is questionable with a knee injury but most likely out.
Seattle Seahawks Injury Report
Seattle enters play tonight as the more banged-up team. Cornerback Richard Sherman is out for the season with an Achilles injury. Safety Kam Chancellor will join Sherman on the sidelines, as he’ll miss the rest of the year with a neck ailment.
The good news is that Duane Brown is active for tonight and Michael Bennett will play despite being questionable with a heel injury. Earl Thomas, the team’s All-Pro safety, will play after missing several games with a hamstring injury.
Our Prediction
The Falcons are healthier and quite frankly, more talented. But they have a habit of shrinking as soon as adversity strikes. The Super Bowl loss to the Patriots is a prime example of that, but there’s also a more recent example.
Two weeks ago the Falcons were coming off a victory against the Jets and traveled to Charlotte to play the Panthers in Week 10. After taking a 10-0 lead in the first quarter, Matt Ryan was intercepted after tight end Austin Hooper fell down and the Panthers wound up leading at halftime. The Falcons never really recovered from that blown 10-0 lead and fell, 20-17.
My point is that I don’t trust Atlanta, especially in an environment like Seattle. The Seahawks are banged-up, but this is one of the most gritty teams in the NFL. Russell Wilson and Doug Baldwin will be all the Seahawks need on offense, and with Thomas, Bennett and Bobby Wagner healthy, they’ll survive on defense.
NFL Prediction: Seattle Seahawks +1
