🏈 Atlanta vs. Carolina - 1/5/25 👀
A new era begins in Atlanta, while Carolina grows jealous from afar
Two teams that will certainly be looking towards the 2025 season with optimism meet in Atlanta on Sunday, but one of them still has an eye on finishing this year with a surprising bang under the leadership of a newly minted savior in Michael Penix Jr.
A unique season for Atlanta is likely coming to a close this week unless Tampa falters against the Saints, but they will take solace regardless in hopefully finding their franchise QB, albeit at the hefty expense of Kirk Cousins’s ill-fated contract, in Michael Penix Jr., who looked competent in his first start 2 weeks ago and downright magnificent in his last start in a thriller against the Commanders. Unfortunately for Falcons fans, the Atlanta defense couldn’t hold off another spectacular rookie performance in Washington, but the OT forcing drive led by Penix Jr. in the final minute was something to behold. With a solid running game led by Bijan Robinson, the Atlanta offense has found balance and a more predictable reliability without the turnovers being handed out like Halloween candy in the Kirk Cousins era. Atlanta will be confident with a 38-20 victory in Carolina earlier this year to build off of in this one.
Carolina, on the other hand, has also given their fans some reason for optimism heading into next year after a first half of the season that looked like a dumpster fire in Chernobyl. After seeming like one of the worst draft picks in NFL history, Bryce Young has responded dramatically down the stretch and led the Panthers to victories in 3 victories while keeping them close against the likes of the Chiefs, Eagles, and Bucs. One thing Bryce Young and the offense can’t help with, however, is Carolina’s league worst defense, that allows the most yards per rushing attempt in the NFL and the 4th most passing yards per attempt (this is not a good combination). Carolina will be playing nothing more than spoiler in this one, and their fans would like to see their draft position improve with a 13th loss on the year.
Atlanta suddenly has a lot of questionable tags for this one, but the two worth watching are Drake London and Darnell Mooney. We expect both to play, so no major concerns there.
Carolina has not been the same since Chuba Hubbard went down with an injury, and that could be a major issue in this one as well. We also have questionable tags for key defenders like Josey Jewell and Jaycee Horn, both of which might sit out given the lack of motivation to win this one for Carolina. We could see other players rested as the game goes on if the Panthers want to ensure a loss.
No need to think about the weather in this one. Everyone will be comfortable and cozy inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Owl predicts:
Atlanta 31 Carolina 13
Without Chuba, it is hard to see any sort of balance in this Carolina offense, even if Atlanta’s defense is suspect at times. Atlanta has the motivation in this one and should have their way on offense against a tanking Carolina defense that could also be without some of its key leaders. This should get ugly quickly, and look for Atlanta to salt away the game on the ground and shorten this one to an under.
Consensus odds currently:
Atl -7.5 O/U 48