People who bet on NFL know that the Seattle Seahawks are three-point home dogs versus the Atlanta Falcons, and they know why. Left guard Luke Joeckel, left tackle Duane Brown, strong safety Kam Chancellor, defensive tackle Jarran Reed, linebacker Michael Wilhoite, and defensive end Michael Bennett all missed Thursday’s practice with sundry injuries. And, as we all know by now, cornerback Richard Sherman is out for the season. On the other hand, running back Eddie Lacy and defensive ends Marcus Smith and Frank Clark are expected to return to action.
- Date: Monday, 20th November
- Time: 8:35 PM
- Venue: CenturyLink Field
- Sportsbook online American football betting odds:
Falcons +3 (-119) 44½ (-110) +120
Seahawks -3 (-101) 44½ (-110) -140
Resistance may be futile
Seattle offensive line coach Tom Cable said the ‘Hawks “are planning on” and “preparing” reserve Matt Tobin to start in place of Brown against the Falcons. That hopefully includes psychological preparation as far as facing Atlanta pass-rush end Adrian Clayborn, who was an absolute beast in Atlanta’s 27-7 win over the Cowboys on Sunday, in which the Falcons snapped a five-game ATS losing streak, and Clayborn had a franchise-record six sacks, which reportedly earned him a $750,000 bonus for recording eight sacks this season – and he could make another $500,000 with another two sacks.
Outside linebacker Vic Beasley will be on the opposite end of Atlanta’s defensive line. “They do have a really nice rush,” Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said. “Clayborn coming off the game that he had and he is up to eight sacks now, Beasley, they have a really nice front.” And it will be on hands on deck to stop Seattle QB Russell Wilson, who is 6-0 SU with 12 touchdowns and no picks and 3-2-1 ATS in six career starts on Monday Night Football. Collectively, as fans who bet on NFL should know, the ‘Hawks have won their last 11 straight Monday outings.
We need to talk about Tevin
The Falcons’ fallen-on-hard-times offense looks even punier compared to the monolithic defense, but it did put up decent numbers against Dallas. Matt Ryan passed for 215 yards and two touchdowns, and Tevin Coleman rushed for 83 yards and one TD on 20 carries. Speaking of Tevin, he may be thrust into the role of lead back, should incumbent Devonta Freeman miss the game on Monday with a concussion. Which, according to Matty Ice, would have no noticeable effect on the ground attack. “I don’t think it changes so much in terms of the scheme or anything like that,” Ryan said. “We trust both our guys in the run game… I don’t think anything changes in the run game, for sure. I usually don’t even think about who’s in there when we’re calling run plays.” Atlanta is 5-2 SU in the last seven vs. Seattle, and 5-2 ATS in the Dirty Birds’ last seven trips to Jet City. People who bet on NFL should keep in mind that the total has gone over in six of the last six matchups between Falcons and ‘Hawks. aeHaaxdfg ergsertger gyrewgrt