The Falcons staked themselves to a 14-0 lead against the Packers over the weekend, with a touchdown pass from Matt Ryan to Roddy White and a touchdown run from Michael Turner giving them the early advantage.

It was all Green Bay from there, however, as the Falcons faded in a 25-14 home defeat. Ryan went just 18-for-32 for 167 yards passing in the loss, with that one TD strike and two interceptions. Turner was held to only 56 yards on the ground.

So the Falcons will be looking to get back to the .500 mark on Sunday afternoon when they host the 1-4 (but 4-1 against the NFL betting lines) Carolina Panthers.

The Panthers paid off for NFL bettors over the weekend by keeping it close in a 30-27 loss at home to the New Orleans Saints. The Saints needed a TD pass from Drew Brees late in the fourth quarter of that contest to pull out the victory.

Carolina rookie QB Cam Newton completed 16 of his 31 pass attempts for 224 yards in that defeat, throwing two touchdown strikes and getting picked off once. Newton also ran for a score in the win, while DeAngelo Williams rushed for 115 yards and a TD.

The Panthers don't have the trends on their side for Sunday's meeting with the Falcons  as they're 1-4 both straight up and against the spread in their last five matchups with the division rival. Atlanta beat Carolina 31-10 both at home and on the road last year.

Keep an eye on the opening NFL odds for this contest and for updated Super Bowl futures. The Falcons are down to 40/1 to win the championship this season, with the Panthers a longshot at 300/1.

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