The Carolina Panthers host the Atlanta Falcons on “Thursday Night Football” to kick off the NFL Week 8 schedule. Considering how the two NFC South rivals have played during the first half of the 2020 season, one team has a clear edge in the upcoming matchup.

The betting line favors the Panthers by 2.5 points, according to odds compiled by OddsShark. The total is 49 points.

Carolina is coming off a 27-24 loss at the hands of the New Orleans Saints. Atlanta blew yet another lead near the end of regulation, losing at home Sunday to the Detroit Lions, 23-22.

With a 3-4 record, the Panthers are two games ahead of the 1-6 Falcons in the standings. By most statistical measurements, Carolina is the better team.

The Falcons have scored more points than the Panthers, though much of Atlanta’s production has come in garbage time or against poor defenses. Carolina ranks seventh in yards per play. Atlanta is only 21st in yards per play, and they’ve faced three of the NFL’s bottom-six defenses.

The Panthers have been about average defensively. Carolina ranks 13th in both total defense and points allowed. The team is 16th in opponents’ yards per play.

Atlanta can’t seem to stop anyone, and it could be the difference in Thursday’s contest.

The Falcons are 26th in points allowed per game and 31st in total defense. No team in the NFL allows more yards per play than Atlanta.

Atlanta has surrendered at least 23 points in every single game, including its first matchup with Carolina. The Panthers defeated the Falcons 23-16 on the road in Week 5, outscoring their division rivals 20-9 over the final three quarters.

Teddy Bridgewater had arguably his best game as a Panther in Atlanta, completing 75% of his passes for 313 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions and a 119.3 passer rating. The Falcons have allowed a 113.4 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks, which is second-worst in the league.

Matt Ryan had a season-low 226 passing yards and a 63.6 rating in Atlanta’s Week 5 loss.

Quarterbacks have a mediocre 91.1 passer rating against Carolina. The Panthers have faced Derek Carr, Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Justin Herbert, all of whom are among the 11 quarterbacks with a triple-digit passer rating this season.

Ryan and the Falcons could have their hands full with the Panthers, once again.

Prediction: Carolina over Atlanta, 30-24

Teddy Bridgewater Carolina Panthers
Teddy Bridgewater #5 of the Carolina Panthers passes against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 11, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
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