Atlanta at Washington

We usually like these teams that have looked bad recently to come back and have a strong game. We looked for a reason to back Atlanta in their down-and-out state, but we just could not come up with one. It doesn't get much worse for an NFL team than it is right now for the Dirty Birds. We ask - which has been the most futile NFL team of late - Detroit or Atlanta? I guess that was answered for us 4 weeks ago when Detroit beat them by 16! It has actually gotten worse for the Falcons since then. They put up massive rushing yards, but nothing else. Michael Vick was looking like what everyone wanted him to be with a couple of superb weeks early on, but he looks utterly confused right now, and it culminated with his gesture that cost him 20K last week. His confidence is shot. The Atlanta defense has bitten the bullet too. They started out giving up 13.8 ppg in the first five games. In the last six that has skyrocketed to 31.2 ppg! It is pretty tough to win football games like that, especially when you have scored 14 or less in the last four weeks (and in 7 of 11 on the season). This is a total collapse on both sides of the ball, and when you see this happening, you have to take advantage of it by playing the other side. Washington came up big vs. Carolina last week and are a completely different football team at home. They have been in every single one of their last 16 home games. They have not lost a home game by more than 3 points in 2 and a half years (outside of an OT game vs SD they lost by 6). They finally put together a game on both sides of the ball, and you have to wonder if this team is ready to break out like last year's team that won its final five and made the playoffs. You can be sure in the mediocre NFC, even at 4-7 they are not dead, if they run the table again. Just can't see Atlanta turning it around, they are to far gone. Skins here.