Lions vs. Falcons Prediction, Odds, Against Spread and Over/Under for NFL Week 16
By Matt De Saro
![Despite their second win of the season, the Lions are still a very bad team. The Falcons are too and the pair square off in Week 16. Despite their second win of the season, the Lions are still a very bad team. The Falcons are too and the pair square off in Week 16.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_2150,h_1209,x_0,y_164/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/426/01fqcyegsyfxygsgvddk.jpg)
This game won’t be winning any awards for gameplay or excitement but there is still value to be found betting on the Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons.
This should be an easy pick but the Lions just had to go out and win again this weekend. Not only did they win, but they dominated the Arizona Cardinals 30-12. Crushed them. The No. 1 team in the NFC West. The Cardinals shot themselves in the foot several times during this game but the Lions were able to capitalize.
The Lions chances of winning two in a row took a massive hit this afternoon when it was announced that Jared Goff tested positive for COVID-19. Between him and tackle Matt Nelson the Lions have now placed 12 players on the reserve/COVID list in the last two weeks.
The #Lions placed QB Jared Goff on the COVID-19 reserve list.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 20, 2021
This does not automatically mean that Goff wont be ready to go this weekend. Especially with the new health and safety protocols added last week for vaccinated players. This story is developing so keep an eye on Goff's availability as the week progresses.
Meanwhile, the Falcons continued their downward spiral with an aging Matt Ryan under center. Week 15 saw Atlanta fall to 6-8 following a 31-13 blowout at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers yesterday. The Falcons managed to gain just 275 yards overall compared to 397 from the Niners. Once again, the Falcons were led by Cordarelle Patterson but even his utility wasn’t enough for Atlanta.
So, can the Lions keep winning games for a change? Or, will they regress once again only to randomly win an unwinnable game another week? Here are the odds for this Week 16 clash, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.
Lions vs. Falcons, Spread, and Total Odds
Spread:
- Lions: +4.5 (-110)
- Falcons: -4.5 (-110)
Moneyline:
- Lions: +175
- Falcons: -200
Total:
- 44.5 (Over -110/Under -110)
Lions vs. Falcons Betting Trends
- The Lions are 5-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last six games.
- The Lions are 2-15-1 straight up (SU) in their last 18 games.
- The Lions are 0-7-1 SU in their last eight road games.
- The OVER is 7-2 in the last nine games between these two teams at Atlanta.
- The Falcons are 2-4 ATS in their last six games.
- The UNDER is 5-1 in the Falcons’ last six games.
- The Falcons are 1-7 SU in their last eight home games.
Lions vs. Falcons Prediction and Pick
With the Lions handily beating the Cardinals, does this mean they are a good team? No. In fact, I would argue that they are heading into this game in a worse spot because of their upset win. This is because the Lions have a bad habit of coming off a “good game” to lay an egg the following week.
On opening week they actually gave the 49ers a run for their money but ended up losing by eight. The following week, they got crushed 35-17 by the Packers. Then, in Week 3 they almost beat the Ravens 19-17 but lost to the Bears by 10 the following week. They followed their first win of the season up by getting wrecked by the Denver Broncos by 28 points.
As much as it pains me to say this, I am continuing to fade the Lions' ability to stay hot and betting on Atlanta to win and cover. They are still a much better team than the Lions and one, two, or ten fluke wins won't change that.
Pick: Atlanta Falcons -4.5 (-110)