The Atlanta Falcons snapped a four-game losing streak with a 20-19 win over the Cardinals in Week 17. Desmond Ridder was solid but unspectacular and took care of the football while Tyler Allgeier led the offense with 20 carries and 1 TD. Atlanta will host Tampa Bay in Week 18. Below, you’ll find a complete guide to Atlanta Falcons odds and betting for the 2023 NFL season. Included are weekly previews, the latest Falcons betting news, futures odds, and more.
Falcons betting news
Falcons Week 18 inactives:
G Elijah Wilkinson
TE Feleipe Franks
CB Rashad Fenton
OLB David Anenih
DL Jalen Dalton
S Micah Abernathy
The Falcons have opened as a four point underdog for their Week 18 game against the Buccaneers. Neither team has much to play for, with Tampa Bay having already clinched the NFC South and Atlanta eliminated from postseason contention. Desmond Ridder will get his fourth consecutive start, having lost the first two before winning last week against the Cardinals. The Over/Under is 40.5.
Falcons Week 17 inactives against the Cardinals:
OL Elijah Wilkinson
TE Feleipe Franks
CB Rashad Fenton
S Micah Abernathy
LB David Anenih
DL Matt Dickerson
Notable Desmond Ridder props for Week 17 against the Cardinals:
171.5 passing yards (Over -115/Under -115)
0.5 passing touchdowns (Over -280/Under +200)
0.5 interceptions (Over +125/Under -165)
Anytime TD (+295)
Ridder had a solid outing in his second career start, facing a strong Baltimore defense. He completed 22 of 33 passes for 218 yards without turning the ball over, and was sacked twice against the Ravens’ dominant pass rush. Ridder has played mostly mistake-free football over his first two starts, and now he will get an easy matchup this Sunday against the Cardinals. Arizona’s defense ranks second to last in red zone defense, and they are particularly susceptible to the run, ranking 27th in rush DVOA. They are allowing the second most points per play and second most penalties per game of any NFL defense. Ridder will start opposite David Blough, who hasn’t thrown a pass in an NFL game since 2020.
The Falcons are a four point favorite heading into their Week 17 matchup against Arizona. After losing four straight games, the Falcons were eliminated from the playoffs this past Sunday. They trail Tampa Bay by two games heading into the final two weeks of the season, but Tampa owns the tiebreaker. They also lose the tiebreaker to Carolina, who is one game ahead of them in the standings. Atlanta’s offense has struggled since turning to rookie Desmond Ridder at quarterback. They haven’t scored 20 points in a game for four straight weeks, although it should be a fairly easy matchup this Sunday against Arizona. The Cardinals will start either Trace McSorley or Colt McCoy at quarterback, with Kyler Murray out for the season due to an ACL injury.
The Over/Under is 41. Atlanta games have gone under nine times this season, including each of the last four weeks and six of their last seven games. Arizona games have also been trending under since Kyler Murray tore his ACL in Week 14.
Falcons inactives for Week 16 against the Ravens:
S Jovante Moffatt
CB Rashad Fenton
DL Matt Dickerson
OLB David Anenih
OL Chuma Edoga
Notable Desmond Ridder props for his second career start in Baltimore:
137.5 passing yards (Over -110/Under -110)
0.5 passing touchdowns (Over -135/Under +100)
0.5 interceptions (Over -120/Under -110)
29.5 rushing yards (Over -105/Under -125)
Anytime TD (+470)
Ridder faces a tall task in his second NFL start, against a surging Baltimore defense and extremely cold temperatures. The Falcons rookie quarterback struggled in his debut, completing just 50 percent of his passes for 97 yards and no touchdowns. He did not turn the ball over, but Atlanta kept the ball on the ground for most of the game. Baltimore’s defense is allowing the third fewest yards per rush in the league, which means the Falcons could be enticed to through the ball more against their secondary, which ranks 16th against the pass according to PFF.
The Falcons-Ravens game in Baltimore is expected to feature extremely cold weather and has the lowest Over/Under of any Week 16 game, at 34.5 points. Atlanta is a 6.5 point underdog against the Ravens, who are expected to start Tyler Huntley at quarterback with Lamar Jackson still sidelined due to injury. The Ravens have scored just 29 total points over their last three games. The Falcons offense has also stalled recently, with Desmond Ridder ineffective in his first NFL start last week at New Orleans.
Notable Desmond Ridder props for his first career start this Sunday in New Orleans:
167.5 passing yards (Over -110/Under -120)
Longest completion 31.5 yards (Over -120/Under -110)
24.5 rushing yards (Over -125/Under -109)
Anytime TD (+320)
Ridder will make his NFL debut against a Saints defense which ranks 29th in rushing the opposing quarterback. It should be a manageable task for Ridder, considering he will not face too much pressure, and the Saints defense ranks in the lower half of the league in points per play. With Marcus Mariota under center, the Falcons averaged just 155.7 passing yards per game, second lowest in the NFL ahead of only Chicago. Ridder’s projected passing yardage total is already higher than Mariota’s average for the season, despite this being his first career start. These teams met in Week 1, with New Orleans allowing 215 passing yards and 201 yards on the ground.
The Falcons are listed as a four point underdog ahead of their game at New Orleans on Sunday. This marks Desmond Ridder’s first career NFL start, as the rookie third round pick has taken the reins from Marcus Mariota, who is expected to be placed on season-ending injured reserve. With Mariota under center, Atlanta averaged just 155.7 passing yards per game, second lowest in the NFL ahead of only the Bears. Ridder will look to elevate the offense against a Saints team which has held their opponent under 20 points in four straight games. New Orleans is just 5-8 against the spread this season.
The Over/Under is listed at 43.5. The under has hit in five out of New Orleans’ last six games, and four out of the Falcons last five. It is generally harder to project a point total when one of the game’s starting quarterbacks has never taken an NFL snap, but these teams have been trending under since Week 9.
Falcons 2023 offseason moves
Key signings: SAF Jessie Bates
Re-signings:
Trades: TE Jonnu Smith
Key losses:
Key draft picks:
Falcons prop bets
Search below for Atlanta Falcons team or player props currently being offered at sportsbooks. You can also look around at other teams and players using this tool. Happy shopping!
Atlanta Falcons Super Bowl odds
The Atlanta Falcons are longshots to win Super Bowl LVII.
Best Falcons betting site(s)
Atlanta Falcons 2023 schedule and betting odds
Week | Date | Opponent | Kickoff Time | Opening Odds | Closing Line | Final Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Week 1 | Sunday, Sept. 11 | vs. New Orleans Saints | 1 p.m. ET | +3.5 | +5.5 | Saints 27, Falcons 26 |
Week 2 | Sunday, Sept. 18 | at Los Angeles Rams | 4:05 p.m. ET | +13 | +10.5 | Rams 31, Falcons 27 |
Week 3 | Sunday, Sept. 25 | at Seattle Seahawks | 4:25 p.m. ET | +4 | +1 | Falcons 27, Seahawks 23 |
Week 4 | Sunday, Oct. 2 | vs. Cleveland Browns | 1 p.m. ET | OTB | +1 | Falcons 23, Browns 20 |
Week 5 | Sunday, Oct. 9 | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1 p.m. ET | +10.5 | +10 | Buccaneers 21, Falcons 15 |
Week 6 | Sunday, Oct. 16 | vs. San Francisco 49ers | 1 p.m. ET | +5.5 | +3.5 | Falcons 28, 49ers 14 |
Week 7 | Sunday, Oct. 23 | at Cincinnati Bengals | 1 p.m. ET | +10 | +6.5 | Cincinnati 35, Atlanta 17 |
Week 8 | Sunday, Oct. 30 | vs. Carolina Panthers | 1 p.m. ET | PK | -4 | Falcons 37, Panthers 34 |
Week 9 | Sunday, Nov. 6 | vs. Los Angeles Chargers | 1 p.m. ET | +6.5 | +2.5 | Chargers 20, Falcons 17 |
Week 10 | Thursday, Nov. 10 | at Carolina Panthers | 8:15 p.m. ET | +3 | -2.5 | Panthers 25, Falcons 15 |
Week 11 | Sunday, Nov. 20 | vs. Chicago Bears | 1 p.m. ET | PK | Falcons 27, Bears 24 | |
Week 12 | Sunday, Nov. 27 | at Washington Commanders | 1 p.m. ET | +5 | Commanders 19, Falcons 13 | |
Week 13 | Sunday, Dec. 4 | vs. Pittsburgh Steelers | 1 p.m. ET | +2.5 | Steelers 19, Falcons 16 | |
Week 14 | Sunday, Dec. 11 | BYE | BYE | |||
Week 15 | Saturday, Dec. 17 OR Sunday, Dec. 18 | at New Orleans Saints | TBD | +5 | Saints 21, Falcons 16 | |
Week 16 | Saturday, Dec. 24 | at Baltimore Ravens | 1 p.m. ET | +7.5 | Ravens 17, Falcons 9 | |
Week 17 | Sunday, Jan. 1 | vs. Arizona Cardinals | 1 p.m. ET | +3.5 | Falcons 20, Cardinals 19 | |
Week 18 | Sunday, Jan. 8 | vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1 p.m. ET | +7.5 | Falcons 30, Buccaneers 17 |
How to bet on the Atlanta Falcons
Moneyline
The moneyline is the simplest of bets, decided by the straight-up winner and loser of each game. Consider the following example:
- Falcons +185
- Packers -240
The Falcons are heavy underdogs in this matchup, paying out $285 total for a $100 bet ($185 in winnings). The Packers are considered heavy favorites in this matchup (indicated by -240), requiring a $240 bet to win $100 (plus the initial bet back). How much either team wins or loses by does not matter in moneyline betting, the payout remains the same.
Point spread
Betting on the point spread is determinant on how many points a team wins or loses by. Take the following example:
- Falcons -2.5 (-110)
- Cardinals +2.5 (-110)
In this example, Atlanta is favored by 2.5 points, indicated by “-2.5.” If the Falcons win the game 41-35, the Falcons (-2.5) win the bet and would have a total payout of $19.09 on a $10 bet ($9.09 in profit). If the Cardinals keep the game within three and lose 41-39, the Cardinals (+2.5) would win, and the payout would be the same as listed above.
Point total (over/under)
The point total refers to the over/under line set by books. This number projects the total number of points scored in a game and, like prop betting, is bet whether one thinks the score will go over or under the set point total. For example, the Falcons’ Week 16 matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs had a projected point total of 53.5 points. The Falcons came up just short, 17-14, resulting in just 31 combined points. Those who bet under the point total would have cashed out that week.
Atlanta opened the season with one of the worst scoring defenses in the NFL and a potent offense, resulting in point totals over league average. However, under the new direction of interim coach Raheem Morris, the Falcons sured up their defense, resulting in a midseason drop in their over/unders.
In-play and live betting
Sometimes, the most thrilling and rewarding bets are bets made while games are being played. These are referred to as live bets or in-play bets. Odds are ever-changing during games, which would prove to be fruitful for sharp and prepared bettors. For example, if the Falcons (-110) were heavily favored against the Bengals (+120) before kickoff, a payout on a $10 bet on the Falcons to win would win $9.09.
However, say the Falcons fell to a big 24-6 deficit in the first half despite controlling the overall game (due to a costly turnover or special teams gaffe). Odds may swing in favor of the Bengals, who may be a -125 favorite at halftime. Taking the Falcons to come back and win the game could present plus-odds (say, +130). Should a bettor take Atlanta (+130) at halftime and the Falcons pull off the comeback, winners would win $13 instead of $9.09 (plus the initial $10 bet).
This could also be an effective way to “hedge” your bet; say a bettor took the Bengals (+190) in that game, but Atlanta jumps out to a 14-0 first quarter lead and is controlling the overall feel of the game, bettors could hedge by throwing some money down on Atlanta (-230) to return some of the inevitably-lost bet.
Parlays and teasers
You can always string bets together in the form of parlays or teasers. Usually during busy Sundays, bettors can parlay several teams to win or cover against the spread and if all bets are successful, the payouts are multiplied. Teasers function similarly, except they allow bettors to move each point spread to a more favorable line in exchange for diminished odds.
Futures
Futures are long-term bets that can range from an offseason to a full season (or beyond). Team win totals, award winners, and player performance are common futures.
Falcons 2021 recap
Record: 7-10, Third in NFC South
Record ATS: 6-10-1
Over/under record: 7-10
Early on in the season, the Falcons lost star Calvin Ridley, who cited personal struggles. Ridley didn’t return to the team, leaving the passing game stripped bear. Rookie Kyle Pitts became the focal point of the offense, breaking the all-time rookie record for receptions and yards for a tight end. There were good times and bad during Arthur Smith’s first season at the helm, but ultimately they came up shy of being a successful team. One thing is clear with the Falcons: Matt Ryan’s time in the NFL is waning.