NFL Betting Lines: Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons on FOX

The Atlanta Falcons head into Sunday’s NFL betting lines match-up with the Carolina Panthers looking like a major contender in the NFC after opening up with a 19-7 win over Miami. Carolina on the other hand could be looking for a quarterback after Jake Delhomme imploded for the second straight game. The Falcons are nearly a touchdown favorite in NFL betting lines against the Panthers at online sportsbooks. Atlanta has been almost unbeatable at home lately, going 8-1 in NFL odds since the start of last season.

Matt Ryan threw for 229 yards and two touchdowns in the win over Miami as the Falcons covered the NFL betting lines. New tight end Tony Gonzalez had a great debut, catching five balls for 73 yards and a TD. Atlanta’s defense also played well, forcing four turnovers and coming up with four sacks. "I thought we were attacking the ball as well as we have since we've been here," Atlanta head coach Mike Smith said. "I think it was evident by the turnovers, with the ball being on the ground." The Falcons could have a field day in NFL betting lines against turnover prone Carolina and quarterback Jake Delhomme.

The Panthers committed a team-record seven turnovers in its NFL betting odds loss to Philadelphia last week. Delhomme was benched in the third quarter after going 7 for 17 for 73 yards. It was another disaster for Delhomme as last year in the playoffs he threw five interceptions in the loss to Arizona. The Panthers don’t have much choice at quarterback after inexplicably giving Delhomme a contract extension in the off-season. They are sticking with him for now even though he has committed 11 turnovers in his last 22 possessions. Backup quarterback Josh McCown was placed on injured reserve on Monday.

The team did sign A.J. Feeley on Monday but he won’t be ready for this game in NFL betting lines. He could be ready the following week if Delhomme struggles again. "I'd like to erase any doubts," said Delhomme. Carolina has other issues as well as they gave up 185 rushing yards on 32 attempts last week. They have to face Pro Bowl running back Michael Turner this week. He ran for 117 yards and a career-high four TDs in the Falcons win in NFL betting odds over Carolina last November. The Panthers and Falcons have split their season-series the last three years in NFL betting lines. Atlanta is 17-11 all-time versus Carolina.

Franklin's NFL Picks: After the way Atlanta held the Dolphins in check last week and since Delhomme is having some serious issues, my NFL pick for this game on FOX football will be to bet on the Falcons laying the points at home and the UNDER. Vegas odds at the Hilton sportsbook have the Falcons -6 favorites in NFL betting lines against the Panthers with a betting total of 42.5.