Buffalo Bills More Than Touchdown Dog Against Atlanta Falcons

NFL News - December 21st, 2009 - Written by John

Never in the history of the organization have the Atlanta Falcons had back-to-back winning seasons. While playoff aspirations have expired this season, the Falcons still have an opportunity to move one step closer to achieving one of the goals they set when they host the Buffalo Bills, back-to-back winning seasons. The match will take place on Sunday in the Georgia Dome.

Last week, the Falcons put together a performance that wasn't great, but was good enough to beat the New York Jets on the road 10-7. Quarterback Matt Ryan returned after missing two weeks with a foot injury and orchestrated a game-winning fourth quarter drive that ended with a six-yard touchdown pass to tight end Tony Gonzalez.

Also returning to the line-up for the Falcons was starting running back Michael Turner. Turner had been hampered by an ankle injury through December. In the game however, Turner re-aggravated the injury after only accumulating one carry for seven yards.

The story of the game was dominant output exhibited by the Atlanta defense against the Jets offense. The Falcons intercepted Jets' QB Mark Sanchez three times and were able to apply pressure on him, forcing him into poor decisions.

The Atlanta defense has struggled getting to the quarterback and creating turnovers. They must build off of this performance and try to create similar pressure on the Bills offense this week. The Bills surrendered six sacks in their game versus the Patriots on Sunday and are vulnerable in pass protection.

Buffalo quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick was harassed all game long by the Patriot defensive line, prompting a brief stint on the bench for back up QB Trent Edwards. In Edwards' lone series, he was sacked once for minus nine yards and did not have a completion.

Buffalo played sloppy, accumulating 11 penalties totaling 124 yards. Two of those penalties were critical pass interference calls that set up both of the Patriots' touchdowns. The Bills had 104 yards in penalties in the first half alone, which was the most of any team in a half all season long.

There are two key match-ups to look for in this game. First, how will the susceptible Bills offensive line handle the pressure that the Falcons will bring in various blitz packages. Secondly, with the absence of Michael Turner, Atlanta will have to rely on the duo of running backs Jason Snelling and Jerious Norwood to ignite the run game. If the Falcons are able to establish the running attack, it could be a long day for the Bills defense.

Oddsmakers have set Atlanta as an eight-point favorite to defeat Buffalo at home. The over/under for the contest has been installed at 41 1/2 points in the 2009 NFL Week 16 Betting Odds.

Recent NFL betting trends indicate that Buffalo is 5-1 ATS in their last six games when they are a road underdog of 3 1/2-10 points. Sunday against Atlanta the Bills are an eight point underdog. The under is 8-2 in Buffalo's last 10 games overall.

Atlanta is 4-0 ATS in their last four home games when they are a favorite of 3 1/2-10 points.

The game can be seen on CBS at 1pm EST and will be broadcast regionally.