Falcons vs. Rams Prediction: LA's Defense Dominates and the Offense Finds the Answers)
By Josh Yourish
It’s another matchup of 0-1 teams in Week 2 as the Atlanta Falcons travel cross country to face the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium. The Rams didn’t look like their Super Bowl selves in Week 1 against Buffalo, but they have had extra time to rest and prepare for Arthur Smith’s Falcons this week.
Atlanta actually looked great to start the game on Sunday, but as it often does for the Falcons, things fell apart in the fourth quarter and they are 0-1.
Falcons vs. Rams Odds, Spread and Total
Falcons vs. Rams Odds, Spread and Total Movement in NFL Week 2
The spread opened at 13, but has been bet down to 10 or even 9.5 in some places and the total has gone down from 48 in most books.
Falcons vs. Rams Best Bet and Prediction
This week I am all over the good teams that looked rough in Week 1 and lost. The Bengals, Packers, and Rams are my three favorites that fit that mold. Sure, the Falcons also lost in Week 1, but they are not a contender. Atlanta could be friskier than expected because Marcus Mariota was solid against New Orleans.
Mariota threw for 215 yards, rushed for 72, and scored on the ground. Drake London looked worth the investment at receiver with five catches for 74 yards, but that element of the offense could be gone. Kyle Pitts and Drake London both fit the mold of a big physical receiver that Jalen Ramsey is perfect to shut down. Ramsey can get blown by every once in a while like Stefon Diggs’ long touchdown last Thursday, but Ramsey rarely gets beat by the bigger jump ball type receiver.
I think the Rams defense will be the star of the show Sunday. That’s likely why the total has gone down, but I also think that the Rams offense will come to life as long as Stafford’s elbow is up to it. Cooper Kupp will be great as always and I think Sean McVay will figure out a way to get Allen Robinson involved after not making a catch last week.
I said I love the contenders coming off of bad losses this week, so let’s ride the Rams at 9.5 or 10. I do start to get a little weary at 10.5, but if this line goes up to 11 then I’m a full stay away.
Pick: Rams -9.5 (-122)
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