The Carolina Panthers meet the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday Night Football, kicking off Week 8 of the NFL 2020 season.
Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons Preview
Both sides had close losses during the previous weekend, with the Panthers losing against the New Orleans Saints on the road, and the Falcons suffering a home defeat to the Detroit Lions. Carolina is still near the .500 mark and has some chances to reach the playoff. As for the Falcons, the recent rumors that suggest possible trades that include Matt Ryan and Julio Jones indicate that the board is already thinking about the next year.
Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons Odds
| Team | Spread | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|
| Panthers | -3.5 (-110) | 48.5 |
| Falcons | +3.5 (-110) | 48.5 |
When, Where, and How to Watch Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons
- When: Thursday, October 29, 8:20 PM ET
- Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
- How to Watch: FOX, NFL Network
Panthers Must-Win Game
If they post a triumph against the Falcons, Carolina will reach a 4-4 record, which would keep Matt Rhule and his team in the hunt for the playoffs. After seeing Christian McCaffrey injured early one, just a few expected such a development.
Last week, the Panthers lost in New Orleans, 27-24, with Wil Lutz’s field goal, which was the only score in the final quarter, making the difference.
Carolina’s running game was terrible, generating just 37 yards, with Mike Davis’ 12 yards on 7 carries presenting a team-high. Teddy Bridgwater was good with 254 yards, 23-of-28 for two TDs. Shaq Thomson had 13 tackles, seven solo, and did a good job in defense, but it was the offense that failed to produce that ultimate hit to the Saints.
Falcons’ New Era
The gossips about Julio Jones and Matt Ryan being traded overwhelmed the media, but according to ESPN, the team won’t move on from them during this window. The former MVP and one of the best wide receivers in the league are staying until the end of the campaign. What is their destiny afterward, nobody knows.
What we do know is that the Falcons lost against the Lions, 23-22 with a touchdown as time expired, once again dropping a win in the last moments. After all the blackouts experienced this season (the biggest one against the Cowboys), the same problem is still haunting Atlanta’s unit.
Matt Ryan has 12 TDs and three interceptions, and when it comes to the passing game, he is still one of the best in the league. Since the start of the year, he threw 2181 yards, 615 of them to Calvin Ridley, and half of Ryan’s TD passes ended in Ridley’s hands.
Head to Head Matches
This is the second game this year between these two divisional rivals. The first one ended in Carolina’s favor, 23-16 in Atlanta. A shocking data from that one is that Ryan didn’t have a single touchdown pass, posting just an interception and a fumble, with 226 passing yards.
Prediction
The Panthers are in a better mood, and even though they aren’t playing much better than the Falcons, they are a logical choice in this event. The spread on them is -3, and we recommend betting on them to cover it.
