Seahawks Listed as 6.5-Point Favorites Over Falcons with Matt Ryan’s Status in Doubt
- The Falcons opened as 3.5-point home underdogs vs Seattle in Week 8
- Atlanta has tumbled to 6.5-point ‘dogs as of Thursday
- The line movement was caused by an injury to QB Matt Ryan, which has left Matt Schaub as the likely starter
With the status of quarterback Matt Ryan in doubt for Sunday, the Atlanta Falcons have tumbled to lengthy 6.5-point home underdogs in their Week 8 clash with Seattle in the Seahawks vs Falcons odds (Oct. 27th, 1:00 PM ET).
NFL Week 8 – Seahawks vs Falcons Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seahawks | -6.5 (-110) | n/a | Ov 52.5 (-115) |
| Falcons | +6.5 (-110) | n/a | Un 52.5 (-105) |
Odds taken Oct. 24.
Injury to Ryan Devastates Falcons
Ryan was forced to leave last weekend’s 37-10 loss to Los Angeles with a suspected high-ankle sprain. He did not participate in practice on Wednesday, leaving veteran backup Matt Schaub to start on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
"This looks like a pretty significant injury.. I expect him to miss a number of weeks, probably 4" –@jocktodoc on Matt Ryan's ankle injury. #InBrotherhood pic.twitter.com/KMUXPoRvL5
— Sports On DIRECTV (@SportsOnDIRECTV) October 20, 2019
The uncertainty surrounding Ryan’s availability has devastated the Falcons’ odds. They opened at +3.5 and then quickly tumbled as far as +7.0.
The movement doesn’t look like an overreaction, either.
Ryan has been a bright spot in an otherwise dismal campaign for the Falcons. Entering Week 8, the 34-year-old sits second only to Patrick Mahomes with 2,170 passing yards, and joins Mahomes and Seattle pivot Russell Wilson with a league-leading 15 touchdown passes.
Ryan’s Iron Man Status at Risk
Ryan has been exceptionally durable during an impressive 12-year NFL career, starting under center for Atlanta in 154 consecutive regular season games since December 2009.
That has provided little opportunity for Schaub to see action since beginning his second stint with the Falcons ahead of the 2016 NFL season.
Matt Ryan has missed only 2 games in his 12-year career. Both were way back in 2009. The way he limped to the locker room, his streak of 154 consecutive starts might be in jeopardy. #Falcons #Rams
— Paul Newberry (@pnewberry1963) October 20, 2019
Schaub has appeared in nine games in his return to Atlanta, where he began his NFL career back in 2004, making just 16 pass attempts over that stretch.
The 38-year-old’s lone appearance this season came last weekend. Schaub stepped in following Ryan’s injury in the fourth quarter, and went 6-for-6 for 65 yards while connecting on his first scoring pass since 2015.
Schaub Faces Massive Challenge in Rare Start
Now faced with the possibility of making just his third start since the end of the 2013 NFL season, the question remains as to whether Schaub can maintain the passing game that has been key to what little success the Falcons have enjoyed this season.
Through Week 7, Atlanta’s passing game has produced 16 of the team’s 18 total touchdowns. While Schaub enjoys familiarity with the Falcons receiving corps, it is likely too much to ask for him to come close to the effectiveness that Ryan has had this season.
#Falcons QB Matt Ryan not on the field with Matt Schaub and Danny Etling at start. pic.twitter.com/gLshiTIOZs
— D. Orlando Ledbetter (@DOrlandoAJC) October 24, 2019
That becomes even more apparent considering how effective the Seahawks’ pass defense has been. Seattle surrendered just 141 passing yards in last week’s 30-16 loss to Baltimore, and has limited opposing pivots to fewer than 250 passing yards in five of seven outings, while surrendering just two touchdown passes over the past four games.
Even with Ryan under center, the Falcons offense has failed to take flight in the team’s past two home games, recording just one total TD pass, while the Atlanta offensive line has allowed Ryan to get sacked a total of 10 times in those two contests.
Falcons Ground Game Ill-Equipped
The Atlanta ground game also looks ill-equipped to pick up the slack after compiling just 38 yards last weekend against the Rams. Overall, the Falcons have averaged a meagre 68.4 rushing yards per game, with Devonta Freeman recording a team-high 294 yards on the season.
Freeman has struggled mightily of late, topping 30 rushing yards just once in his past four outings; his three touchdowns all came on passes from Ryan.
His frustrations finally boiled over last weekend, with the 2015 rushing-touchdowns leader getting ejected following an on-field altercation with the Rams’ Aaron Donald.
🚨🚨 Fight in Atlanta: Devonta Freeman went after Aaron Donald. Benches cleared.
Freeman was ejected.https://t.co/W7sZ0ivLCt
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 20, 2019
That won’t stop the Falcons from trying to exploit a Seattle rushing defense that has allowed 113.25 ground yards per game and seven majors over their past four outings.
But with the Seahawks highly motivated by the challenge of keeping pace with San Francisco in the NFC West standings, and a strong record that has seen them post wins in 11 of their past 13 road games immediately following a home loss, they are poised to feast on a shorthanded Falcons squad that is already looking toward next season.
Picks: Seahawks -6.5 (-110); UNDER 52.5 (-105)
Daniel has been writing about sports and sports betting for over 23 years. The seasoned pro has contributed to the likes of Sports Illustrated, Sportsnet, NESN, Bleacher Report, OddsShark, the Globe and Mail, and The Nation magazine.
