NFL Week 9 Picks: Crazy Spread with Atlanta Falcons vs. Indianapolis Colts

I am beyond confused…is befuddled a better term?

The oddsmakers currently have the Atlanta Falcons as seven point favorites over the Indianapolis Colts.

How in the world is this possible?

Let’s count the ways this line makes zero sense:

1.) Atlanta is Coming Off a Bye

Sure teams have struggled somewhat after having an additional week off, but last week teams coming off vacation were 5-1— meaning the overall record after a bye is now 8-10.

The Falcons are healthy and have had two weeks to prepare for Curtis Painter.

2.) Dome Field Advantage No Big Deal

Lots of teams struggle playing indoors considering they only play in the environment once, maybe twice a year. The Falcons play in the Georgia Dome, and have plenty of experience with the crowd noise that goes with it.

The built in three-point home field advantage shouldn’t be considered for this game.

3.) Colts are Beginning to Lose Focus

At 0-8, there is no hope for this team to do anything aside from win the Andrew Luck sweepstakes.

Veteran defenders like Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney are not giving the effort they did earlier in the season where they thought the defense could single handily win a game.

It’s hard to keep fighting when you go to the sidelines and watch this offense stink up the joint. Which brings me to my next point…

4.) Curtis Painter is Not a Starting QB in the NFL

He bails out of the pocket too quickly, isn’t very accurate and doesn’t read defenses well.

Other than that, he’s great.

5.) Falcons Are Playoff Bound

They may not be as good as the 14-2 mark of last year, but this team is high-quality.

RB Michael Turner is beginning to come alive and has racked up 261 yards in his last two games after struggling at the start of the season.

Matt Ryan is still a top 10 QB, and Atlanta should have rookie WR Julio Jones back after missing two weeks with an injury. Combine him with Roddy White and you have one of the scariest pair of deep threats in the game.

Prediction

The Falcons are going to jump out to a double-digit lead early behind Ryan’s arm and use Turner to eat up the clock in the second half.

This will be the easiest win of the season for Atlanta

Falcons 34, Colts 17

(Spread courtesy of Covers.com)