Raheem Mostert NFL Football Betting Preview Atlanta Falcons vs San Francisco 49ers

Will Heavily Favored Niners Get Caught In Trap Game Against Atlanta?

Following a thrilling shootout victory against the Saints, San Francisco faces another NFC South opponent in Week 15 as they host the Falcons. The Niners are double-digit favorites at home, but with their recent history of poor ATS play when heavily favored, can bettors rely on San Francisco?

Atlanta Falcons vs San Francisco 49ers
  • Date/Time: December 15, 4:25 p.m. ET
  • Stadium: Levi’s Stadium
  • TV Coverage: FOX
  • Sportsbook Odds: San Francisco -11 | O/U 46.5
  • Falcons vs 49ers Matchup Report

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

San Francisco is 5-1 at home this year, the offense looks like it has found its rhythm and the Niners absolutely need to win this game, so they opened as 11-point home favorites over Atlanta. With the Falcons offensively inclined — and struggling on defense — and the 49ers playing in higher-scoring games of late, the total opened at 46.5 points.

Atlanta News & Notes

The Falcons, who entered the season with playoff expectations that were torpedoed by a horrendous start, have won three of their last five games but it’s a major case of too little, too late.

They had their highest offensive output last week in a 40-20 victory over the Panthers. Matt Ryan threw for 313 yards and two touchdowns, while the Falcons ran for 159 yards on the ground. Atlanta also got back star tight end Austin Hooper following a three-game absence but lost receiver Calvin Ridley, who is out for the remainder of the season with an abdominal injury.

The Falcons will be tested on Sunday, however, as they travel across the country to play San Francisco and are only 4-11 ATS in their last 15 games on the road. Add in that they’re facing a 49ers club that has one of the NFL’s toughest defenses and an offense that’s finally starting to click … and it could be a long flight home.

San Francisco News & Notes

Last week featured arguably the game of the season, as the Niners squared off against the Saints with the top seed in the NFC on the line.

Though it was expected to be a defensive battle, the game turned into an absolute shootout, with San Francisco winning 48-46 on a last-second field goal. The win came at a cost, however, as the 49ers lost center Weston Richburg, cornerback Richard Sherman and defensive end Dee Ford to injuries.

Their absence will put more pressure on quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who threw for 349 yards and four touchdowns last week as the Niners are now focused on a Super Bowl run.

While they’re facing a 4-9 Falcons team, the 49ers are 0-4-1 ATS in their last five games as a double-digit favorite. They need to stop playing down to the level of their opponent and just go out and dominate inferior teams.

Betting Pick: 49ers -11

Atlanta has been playing opponents tough of late, but the Niners are an all-around great squad that cannot afford to lose this game. They take care of business at home.

Shark Bites
  • The total has gone OVER in 3 of the Falcons’ last 4 games vs the 49ers (avg. combined score: 49.25).
  • The Falcons are 2-12 SU in their last 14 games on the road vs the 49ers.
  • The 49ers are 4-17-1 ATS in their last 22 games as favorite.
The total has gone OVER in 3 of ATL’s last 4 games vs SF. ATL is 2-12 SU in its last 14 games at SF.away SF is 4-17-1 ATS in its last 22 games as favorite.home
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