NFL Betting – Rookie Smith Must Find New Weapons to Beat Falcons
NFL bettors who like to follow the injury lists (and who doesn’t) have noticed that the New York Jets are banged up at the receiver position, and that might be just what the doctor ordered for the Atlanta Falcons as these teams meet up in the Monday night football game that is set to begin at 8:40 PM ET at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
Rookie quarterback Geno Smith must overcome more obstacles, as he will be missing a coupe of weapons. Yet he must do battle anyway, against an angry squad that has not lost three straight games since Mike Smith became its head coach and is desperate to keep pace in the NFC South.
In the NFL betting odds that have been established on this game by the people at BetAnySports American Internet Sportsbook, the Falcons are decisive favorites:
NFL betting odds courtesy of BetAnySports American Internet Sportsbook
Atlanta Falcons -9.5
New York Jets +9.5
Over 44 Points -110
Under 44 Points -110
As a rookie, Smith, the former quarterback at West Virginia, needs all the help he can get because of the fact that he has been prone to mistakes. In the first four games of the season he has turned the ball over eleven times. He went through a very painful learning experience against the Tennessee Titans last week, as he fumbled the ball away twice and threw a pair of interceptions. The Titans capitalized on these mistakes with 28 points, took control and beat the Jets into submission, with a 38-13 final.
This week Smith (-135 to have over 245.5 passing yards at BetAnySports) will be missing Santonio Holmes, who is one of his biggest playmakers at the wide receiver spot. Holmes, the former Super Bowl hero, has been somewhat vocal about wanting the ball more, telling reporters “I can’t throw the ball to myself.” Stephen Hill, who has averaged 17 yards a reception, suffered a concussion last week but has been cleared to play in this one, which is something of a relief.
Smith may have to count on the likes of Jeremy Kerley, the former TCU standout, but there won’t be much to choose from when it comes to multiple-receiver sets.
NFL bettors have seen a bit of a revival in the career of Kellen Winslow Jr., who looked at one time as if he might become a tight end of the caliber of Atlanta’s Tony Gonzalez (or even his famous dad) but has been sidetracked with injuries. This season he’s got 16 catches to lead the team, and there is little doubt that he’ll be in Smith’s sights on plenty of occasions.
This is one game where Rex Ryan, the head coach, may have to turn to his running game, although he has acknowledged that he doesn’t have enough on hand to execute the “ground and pound” that he liked to talk about so much during his first couple of years at the helm. Bilal Powell is his principal runner, and Powell, who has 292 yards, putting him on pace for 1168 yards for the season, is going to have to play a prominent role. At BetAnySports, he is -115 either way at an over/under of 62.5 yards on the ground.
And in case you were wondering if there was another signal-caller Ryan could possibly hand the ball over to, Mark Sanchez, who was injured in a pre-season game against the New York Giants, will have shoulder surgery later this month that will keep him out of action for the rest of the year.
Get the most Monday night football betting options available anywhere by opening up an account with BetAnySports using promo code EVBETS to claim your bonus!
