NFL Week 17 Predictions : Carolina Panthers @ Atlanta Falcons

Carolina Panthers @ Atlanta Falcons NFL Week 17 Predictions: The Falcons have something big to play for here, something they set out to accomplish, something that would undoubtedly help them to walk away from the crazy NFC with a spot in the Super Bowl – home field advantage throughout. That’s important to them, and that’s why I’m taking the Falcons and a huge spread to cover – and the fact that they’re playing the hapless Panthers doesn’t hurt at all.

The Panthers weren’t very good to start the season, and they’ve been absolutely crushed by injuries all season long. To put it into perspective, the Falcons have 4 players on IR and two guys questionable for this Sunday’s game. The Panthers have 14 guys on IR, 1 starting corner back “out”, one player “doubtful”, their best receiver questionable, and a couple more players listed as probable just for good measure. They have nothing to play for, they are bad, they are hurting and they are really freaking bad.

I normally wouldn’t even consider the Falcons as a huge favorite like this, but I truly can’t go any other way. Atlanta has played and won a lot of close games, but they’ve played against a lot of good teams. They destroyed Carolina earlier in the season, and beat another bad team (Seattle) 34-18 two weeks ago. The Panthers are hopeless, John Fox is getting fired as soon as this thing finishes up – yes, there’s not much to be excited about if someone made you take Carolina in this one.