With the help of some prop setups from our buddies over at Tipico Sportsbook, let’s make our (sorta) bold predictions for Week 8’s NFC clash between the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons.
1
PJ Walker throws for over 180 yards
Prop: O/U 180.5 passing yards for Walker
Walker, who hit 177 passing yards on just 22 attempts last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, will be facing the league’s worst pass defense. Atlanta has allowed 306.6 yards per game through the air—almost 30 full yards more than the next closest team.
2
. . . and at least one passing touchdown
Prop: O/U 0.5 passing touchdowns for Walker
Oh, and that league-worst pass defense will also be without their top cornerback in A.J. Terrell and safety Jaylinn Hawkins. So Walker has to sniff out the end zone at least once, right?
3
Marcus Mariota throws for under 161 yards
Prop: O/U 161.5 passing yards for Mariota
Mariota hasn’t cracked that many passing yards in over a month. In fact, he’s thrown for fewer than 150 in each of his last four outings.
Carolina doesn’t boast the tightest aerial defense, but they’re solid enough to keep Mariota down. Plus, they’ll likely be getting Jaycee Horn back after a two-game absence.
4
. . . and at least one passing touchdown
Prop: O/U 0.5 passing touchdowns for Mariota
As underwhelming as the passing attack may be, Mariota should still be able to chalk up a tuddy. Maybe he finds one of these next two players for the score . . .
5
Drake London records over 39 receiving yards
Prop: O/U 39.5 receiving yards for London
2022’s eighth overall pick currently leads Atlanta in targets (44), receiving yards (315) and receiving touchdowns (two). The Falcons may not get a ton in the passing game, but London is certainly capable of cracking at least 40 yards.
6
Kyle Pitts records over 34 receiving yards
Prop: O/U 34.5 receiving yards for Pitts
Pitts isn’t having the 2022 he probably envisioned, as he’s totaled just 178 yards and one touchdown through seven weeks. He’s also failed to hit that 35-yard mark in five of his six games.
But that number still feels awfully low, especially against a secondary that allowed some big gains to a similar-sized pass catcher in Mike Evans a week ago.
7
DJ Moore records over 58 receiving yards
Prop: O/U 58.5 receiving yards for Moore
Every pass catcher is going over! With Terrell out, Moore—who went for a season-high 69 yards in Week 7—is going to have an even greater chance of feasting on this weakened secondary.
8
Terrace Marshall Jr. records over 25 receiving yards
Prop: O/U 25.5 receiving yards for Marshall Jr.
In the two games where Marshall Jr. actually got involved, he collected outings of 30 and 31 yards. And he should be even more involved on Sunday (with Matt Rhule and Robbie Anderson gone) as he continues to work himself into interim head coach Steve Wilks’ plan.
9
Tyler Allgeier rushes for under 60 yards
Prop: O/U 60.5 rushing yards for Allgeier
With all this passing offense going around (kinda), maybe the run game has to suffer. Carolina was particularly stout last week, limiting the Bucs to 46 yards on 16 carries.
Allgeier may get close to 60, but this amped-up rush defense is looking good right now.
10
Panthers win
Spread: Panthers +4.5
As long as the Panthers offense doesn’t vomit all over itself, they’ll have a decent chance in this one.
