Both the Washington Football Team and the Atlanta Falcons enter their Week 4 match-up with records of 1-2. The Falcons are fresh off their first win of the season. They edged the Detroit Lions 19-17 on the strength of a field goal and touchdown in the last five minutes of the game.
Washington are fresh off getting pasted by the Buffalo Bills and Josh Allen’s five touchdown NFC Offensive Player of the Week performance.
Can the WFT defense that was so talked about in the offseason, finally break out this week?
Game Information:
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
• Sunday, October 3rd, 2021
• 1:00pm ET
• FOX
Odds:
The Falcons opened the week as 0.5 point favourites, or did they? Some books had Washington by 0.5 to start. It’s still all across the board, but most books have settled on Washington being favored by about 1.0-1.5.
The Over / Under is listed in most Sportsbooks at or around 47.5. (-110)
Key Injuries:
For Atlanta, both wide receiver Russell Gage and defensive lineman Marlon Davidson are out due to ankle injuries. A.J. Terrell is expected to return after missing last week’s game due to a concussion.
For Washington, running back Antonio Gibson is still questionable because of his shoulder injury. He was limited in practice. Matt Ioannidis is still dealing with the knee injury that kept him out of last week’s line-up, but was a full participant at Friday’s practice. He is also listed as questionable. Both will be game time decisions.
WFT will be without corner Benjamin St-Juste, who remains in concussion protocol.
Arguably the biggest news for Washington is that wide receiver Curtis Samuel was removed from injured reserve and can, and should make his season debut against the Falcons.
The Match-Up
The WFT’s defense – or lack thereof – has become the new talking point in Washington. How could such a talented group be producing so little?
Are they talented? The front four certainly are. They just haven’t really played like it so far. But taking off rose-colored glasses should reveal that the linebacking group, and the secondary, are pretty average.
Right now the WFT defense are 29th overall in team defense, and at the bottom of the league in nearly every defensive category. They have allowed more than 30 points per game.
This week at a press conference, WFT Coach Ron Rivera said, “We’ve got a long way to go.”
Fortunately for Washington, the Falcons offense is also ranked 29th overall. And Atlanta’s defense is actually 30th overall.
The Falcons will be counting on a big game from Matt Ryan. The veteran quarterback has never lost to Washington in his five NFL starts against them.
WFT should put the ball in running back Gibson’s hands as much as they can. Not only because of a favorable match-up against Atlanta’s run defense, but as a means of controlling the clock and keeping Ryan off the field.
Betting Trends
Washington Football Team are 0-3 ATS in 2021
Atlanta Falcons 1-2 ATS in 2021
Where To Put Your Money
This game could simply come down to wether or not Washington’s defense gets itself together.
The Atlanta offensive line has been a bit of a question mark so far, and may be exactly what WFT’s front defensive four need, to get off the snide.
I think they will, and Washington will take this one in a 23-16 road win.
Washington -1.5 Under 47.5
Prop Bets
Don’t forget to head on over to our good friends at BetUs for some Prop Bets.
This week’s options include:
Which team will score first?
Is the first score going to be a touchdown?
Will Taylor Heinicke throw under or over 257½ Passing Yards?
Will Matt Ryan throw under or over 23½ Completions?
Check out these prop bets and dozens more at BetUs.