Carolina at Atlanta

There are some weak overall defensive stats for both these teams, but with so much on the line (the division title for the winner and the loser being done for the season), look for both defenses to play all out. And both defenses have actually played better of late. Carolina has allowed 10, 17 and 13 points the last three games. However, against weak defenses the last two weeks, the Panthers offense has only tallied 19 and 17 points.. Atlanta has quietly won four of seven after a bad first half of the season. The offense is fine, fifth in the NFL in passing and excels best at home in the dome. The defense has allowed 17, 17, 18 and 14 points its last four wins. The Falcons are sky high after winning 30-14 at New Orleans last Sunday and they have plenty to be excited about getting star WR Julio Jones back last week after a one-game absence due to a hip injury. Jones had seven catches for 107 yards against the Saints, giving him 28 receptions for 555 yards over a three-game stretch. The Panthers are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 road games, plus 9-1 UNDER the total in division play. They are also 17-5 UNDER the total following a win. Atlanta is 6-1 ATS against the NFC South and on an 8-3 run UNDER the total. They are also a perfect 7-0 UNDER this season when playnig a bad defensive team like Carolina (teams allowing over 5.6 yards per play). The home team holds all the cards in this showdown with the better offense, and the home team is 4-0 ATS when these rivals meet. Play the Falcons and the UNDER.