Total in Rams vs Falcons Has Moved From 52.5 to 55; Is It Still Too Low?
- The total has vaulted to 54.5 in Sunday’s Rams vs Falcons matchup after opening at 52.5
- Total has topped 50 in six of eight meetings between these teams
- Falcons have struggled to score points at home, while addition of Jalen Ramsey bolsters faltering Rams defense
The total has been steadily climbing ahead of the Los Angeles Rams visit to Atlanta in Week 7.
Since opening at 52.5, the total has vaulted a full two points to 54.5 in the Rams vs Falcons odds.
NFL Week 7 – Rams vs Falcons Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Rams | -3 (-101) | -149 | O 54.5 (-110) |
| Atlanta Falcons | +3 (-119) | +129 | U 54.5 (-110) |
*Odds taken 10/18/19
Rams and Falcons Both Receiving High Totals
Both the Rams and Falcons have seen the point total reach impressive heights in recent outings. An average of 76 points have been scored over Atlanta’s past two outings, road losses to Houston and Arizona that extended the Falcons’ current losing streak to four games.
A total of 154 points were scored over the first two games of Los Angeles’ current three-game straight up slide, which kicked off with a stunning 55-40 loss to the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 4.
High-scoring affairs have also been commonplace when these two teams meet, with the over prevailing in seven of eight clashes between these NFC rivals, and the total topping 50 on six occasions.
Totals Dip for Rams on the Road, Falcons at Home
However, the trends do no not extend to when the Rams play on the road and the Falcons play on home turf.
Indeed, the total has finished under in seven of the Rams’ past ten road outings, going 6-1 when Los Angeles wins, and has prevailed in six of the Falcons’ past seven road dates.
Rams defense has undergone quite the shakeup through six games:
OLB Clay Matthews – jaw wired shut
CB Aqib Talib – injured reserve
S John Johnson – injured reserve
CB Marcus Peters – traded— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) October 16, 2019
A stout Rams defense has made the difference on the road, limiting opponents to 20 or fewer points on six occasions. And while Los Angeles has been forced to deal with an array of injuries, with cornerback Aqib Talib becoming the latest casualty after suffering a rib injury in the Rams’ 30-29 loss in Seattle in Week 5, the team brought in reinforcements this week by acquiring Jalen Ramsey in a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Ramsey Key to Countering Falcons’ Vaunted Passing Game
If the 24-year-old is able to suit up on Sunday, it would provide a big boost to a Rams pass defense that has allowed eight total touchdowns over the past three weeks. That will be crucial to the Rams’ chances of ending their slide this weekend in Atlanta, which leads the NFL so far this season with 15 total touchdown passes.
Jalen Ramsey and Aaron Donald could give the Rams a scary 1-2 punch for the foreseeable future.
But are they the best duo in the NFL? pic.twitter.com/AD9sx0Vat4
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 16, 2019
Indeed, it has been an aerial attack that has powered the Falcons’ current four-game SU win streak against Los Angeles. With Matt Ryan under center, Atlanta has tallied seven total scoring passes in their past three meetings with the Rams, averaging over 35 points scored per game in those victories.
Falcons Offense Struggling on Home Turf this Season
However, the Falcons have been far from dominant in recent home outings, scoring 19 or fewer points in three of five outings, capped by a worrisome 24-10 loss to Tennessee as 3.5-point home chalk in Week 4.
Even when the Falcons had a big play opportunity, Tennessee either made them work for it or prevented it with excellent team defense. Logan Ryan disrupts Julio's route. Jayon Brown maintains good positioning off PA. Manages to deflect the ball enough to force Julio into a drop. pic.twitter.com/BiB3VwDgJg
— Allen Strk (@allenstrk) October 3, 2019
The Falcons take a solid track record of success as home underdogs into Sunday’s matchup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Atlanta has won outright in six of the squad’s past seven outings as a home underdog, including a 24-20 upset of the Philadelphia Eagles as a narrow 1-point underdog in Week 2.
But with a one-dimensional ground game powered by Devonta Freeman that ranks 29th in the NFL, and the team struggling to generate offense on home turf, there is little reason to expect the total to climb any further ahead of Sunday’s contest. In fact, a wager on the UNDER, which currently sports -110 odds, is looking like the value bet heading into Week 7 action.
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.
