- What: NFL Regular Season Game
- When: December 16, 2024
- Who: Atlanta Falcons vs. Las Vegas Raiders
- Time: 5:30 p.m. PST
- Where: Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas, NV)
As we gear up for Monday Night Football, the Atlanta Falcons (6-7) will play the Las Vegas Raiders (2-11) at Allegiant Stadium.
The Falcons are coming off a rough stretch. They have lost four straight games, including a 42-21 blowout against the Minnesota Vikings.
Meanwhile, the Raiders are in the midst of a nine-game losing streak, but something about this matchup makes me lean towards Las Vegas to cover the spread of 6 points.
Atlanta Falcons
First, let’s discuss the Falcons’ recent form. They’ve been struggling offensively, with quarterback Kirk Cousins throwing eight interceptions in the last four games.
That’s not exactly the kind of performance you want to see from your starting QB, especially when you’re expected to cover a significant spread.
Away we go in Vegas ???? pic.twitter.com/mBXTPjY1Ie
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 16, 2024
The Falcons’ offense has been inconsistent, and while they have some talent in running backs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier, the passing game has been a major concern.
Cousins has failed to throw a touchdown in four consecutive games, which is a red flag for any team looking to win by a wide margin.
Las Vegas Raiders
On the flip side, the Raiders have shown some fight despite their record.
They nearly pulled off an upset against the Kansas City Chiefs and managed to keep it close against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers until the fourth quarter.
Sincere McCormick has emerged as a reliable running back, averaging over 5.2 yards per carry in his last three games. With the Falcons’ defense ranking in the bottom half for rushing yards allowed, McCormick could exploit that weakness and keep the game competitive.
In terms of injuries, the Raiders are dealing with some key players being questionable, including quarterback Aidan O’Connell.
If he can’t go, Desmond Ridder might step in, which adds an interesting twist to the game.
Monday Night Lights.#ATLvsLV | #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/5TvIj1OSOl
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 16, 2024
Ridder, who started 13 games for the Falcons last season, will be facing his former team, and while he hasn’t been stellar, he knows the Falcons’ defense well. This familiarity could play a role in keeping the game close.
Statistically, the Raiders have covered the spread in 8 of their last 10 home games against teams with losing records. This trend is significant, especially considering the Falcons’ struggles against the spread this season.
The Raiders have also been competitive in their recent matchups, and with the Falcons allowing at least 27 points in five of their last six games, it’s clear that both teams can score, which could lead to a higher-scoring affair.
Falcons-Raiders Best Bet
Moreover, the over/under for this game is set at 44.5 points, indicating that oddsmakers expect both teams to find the end zone. If the Raiders can keep the game within a touchdown, they’ll cover the spread, and with the Falcons’ defensive issues, that’s a real possibility.
While I believe the Falcons will ultimately win this game, 6 points feels like too many to give up.
The Raiders have shown resilience, and with their recent performances, they have the potential to keep this game close. Betting on the Raiders +6 at -110 odds at BetMGM is the best move here.
Let’s see if they can turn their fortunes around and at least make this a competitive matchup.
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Tony Reyes is a sports betting analyst and reporter for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X @TonyParlay.
