We have seven games in the NFL on Sunday afternoon, September 18, including this NFC encounter, and here you can get the best Falcons vs. Rams betting pick and odds.
Both Atlanta and Los Angeles are looking to record the first victory of the new NFL season when they face at SoFi Stadium in Week 2. The Rams are 10-point favorites on MyBookie Sportsbook, while the total is set at 46.5 points. These NFC rivals will meet for the first time since 2019.
Falcons dropped a huge lead in a loss to the Saints
The Atlanta Falcons played excellently for the first three quarters in Week 1 against the divisional rivals New Orleans Saints at home, but that wasn’t enough for a win. Atlanta dropped a 26-10 lead, which they had with 12 minutes to go, and allowed the Saints to come back and get a 27-26 victory. The Falcons collected more yards (416-385) and first downs (26-18); however, that turned out to be insufficient to win.
Marcus Mariota completed 20 of 33 passes for 215 yards, and although he didn’t register a passing TD, he managed to score one on the ground. Mariota had 72 rushing yards on ten carries, while Cordarrelle Patterson impressed with 120 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. On defense, Grady Jarrett contributed 1.5 sacks, while Richie Grant totaled ten tackles.
RB Damien Williams exited the last game with a rib injury, and he will not take on the Rams on Sunday. WR Calvin Ridley has been suspended for the entire season, due to betting on NFL games in the 2021 season.
Rams were blown away at home by the Bills
The reigning NFL champions Los Angeles Rams opened the new campaign with a disappointing 31-10 home loss to the Buffalo Bills. The hosts had a 10-10 result at halftime, but the Bills dominated the second 30 minutes and fully deservedly beat the champs. Los Angeles totaled just 243 yards opposite Buffalo’s 413.
Matthew Stafford didn’t have the best of times in the opening game of the season. He completed 29 of 41 passes for 240 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. Stafford’s offensive line didn’t do him any favors as the Bills sacked him seven times. The Rams’ lone touchdown came through Cooper Kupp, who had game-high 128 yards on 13 receptions. The run offense didn’t work; the Rams recorded only 52 rushing yards on 18 attempts.
WR Van Jefferson sat out the last contest while recovering from surgery to repair a knee injury, and it is uncertain if he will be available on Sunday against the Falcons.
Trends:
Atlanta:
- 4-10 ATS in the last 14 vs. NFC rivals
- 1-4 ATS in the last five games following an ATS win
Los Angeles:
- 4-0 ATS in the last four games after accumulating less than 250 total yards in their previous game
- 5-2 ATS in the last seven vs. NFC opponents
Atlanta Falcons vs. Los Angeles Rams Pick
Atlanta’s run offense was phenomenal against New Orleans, but I don’t think they will repeat that performance against the Rams. Los Angeles is facing a lot easier opponents after playing against the No. 1 favorites Buffalo Bills, and the Rams should have no problems in beating the Falcons on Sunday. Their offense is way better and I expect it to bounce back from a disappointing 10-point display last week. The Rams’ defense has the quality to stop Atlanta’s run offense, while the Falcons cannot rely on their pass offense. Marcus Mariota wasn’t sacked against New Orleans, but that will not be the case in this one.
Pick: Take the Rams at -9.5 (-120)
The Total
Atlanta’s defense is among the weakest in the NFL, and I think Los Angeles will total 400+ yards in this one without trouble. Although I expect to see the hosts score 30+ here, I am not sure about Atlanta. The Rams will be eager to bounce back both offensively and defensively after the last week’s heavy defeat, so Mariota, Patterson, and co will have a tough job moving the chains. Under is 7-3 in the Falcons’ last ten games overall; Under is 4-1 in the Rams’ previous five games overall, while Under is 4-0 in Los Angeles’ last four games after accumulating less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
Pick: Go Under 46.5 points (-110)
