Atlanta at Los Angeles Week 14 Lines & Betting Picks

Coming off a gut-wrenching loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, the Atlanta Hawks are looking to hit the reset button and make a quick turnaround with a win over the Los Angeles Rams this Sunday in order to keep their playoff hopes alive. But with Jared Goff having the ambitions of claiming his first career victory as a starter in the NFL, the Hawks should have their work cut out for them in LA. Join us below as we take a look at this game’s NFL odds and offer our insights on how to bet on this clash.

Atlanta at Los Angeles Week 14 Lines & Betting Picks

HEADLINES: Vic Beasley continues to improve in his second year with the team. – https://t.co/QJ2onrMZvB pic.twitter.com/Livk32XAgj

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 7, 2016

Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles When: Sunday, December 11, 2016 4:25 PM ET TV: FOX Radio: Atlanta / Los Angeles Live Stream: NFL Live NFL Lines: Atlanta (-6), OVER/UNDER 45

Why Bet on Atlanta?

For the third time this season, the Falcons lost a game that was decided by 3 or fewer points, and it was all because of their questionable defense. Matter of fact, 4 of Atlanta’s 5 losses this season have come by 7 or fewer points, and it has all been arguably down to the Atlanta D that has failed to rise up to the occasion when needed most. Last week’s 29-28 loss to KC was particularly a bad beat, as Matt Ryan had helped the Falcons to rally from a 27-16 deficit to a 28-27 Atlanta lead with less than five minutes to go, only for the Falcons to blow up the winning opportunity with some failed last-minute stops. As a consolation, though, the Falcons—who lead the NFL in scoring at 32.2 PPG scoring—showed strongly in the offense and fought heartily against Kansas City’s disciplined defense. If the offense can put up a similar effort, hopefully along with a better support from the defense right from the start of the game, then beating the Rams should be very possible.

Why Bet on Los Angeles?

In his third career start, Goff showed flashes of brilliance against the Patriots last Sunday, but his inexperience (and New England’s mean scoring defense) got in the way, and he ended up finishing the game with a stat line of 14-of- 32 passing for 161 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. It didn’t help either that RB Todd Gurley and his fellow runners were unable to move the chains on the ground. In spite of all that, the Rams’ D proved it could hang with the best, limiting the Patriots to just two total touchdowns (one passing, one rushing), both of which came in the first half. This stout defense is allowing 21.8 PPG overall on the season and just 17.25 at PPG at home—with only one team scoring above 17 points over the Rams in LA this year; something that should come in handy as Los Angeles looks to slow down the high-powered Atlanta offense. There isn’t much data to use in gauging Goff and what he could do this week, but the rookie QB did have a solid performance against New Orleans in Week 12, so it figures that he should be in for another good show against Atlanta’s defense that is just as leaky as that of the Saints. After all, the Rams have a bit of some history going on for them, with a 5-1 SU and 4-2 ATS in their last 6 home games against Atlanta.

NFL Betting Predictions and Picks

Even with the Rams having some history to psyche them and the Falcons operating with a suicidal defense, it’s hard to see the visitors losing this game. Ryan has been clutch all season even against solid defensive units, so it wouldn’t be far-fetched to expect a big game from him here. In addition, Atlanta will most likely get help from Goff and the Rams, who still have plenty of things to clean up, particularly in their lethargic offense– ranked dead-last in the NFL in points scored per game (15.0)– that will be heavily outmatched by Ryan, Julio Jones and company. And above everything, the Falcons are aptly aware of their small margin of error in the NFC South, where they are tied at 7-5 with Tampa Bay; a factor that often plays a strong role in motivating teams for convincing performances at this time of the season. Looking to cash in handsomely? Get the easy money by taking Atlanta, folks. Final Score Prediction: Atlanta 27, Los Angeles 17 Writer’s NFL Pick: Atlanta (-6)