ESPN's unanimous predictions for the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers

The Atlanta Falcons have been one of the hardest teams to predict week in and week out. They flipped the script in the first two weeks of the season, losing at home to the Pittsburgh Steelers and then winning on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles.

With each of their five games coming down to the final possession, it's easy to say that they were one of the most entertaining, if not the most predictable, teams of the year.

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The ESPN Prognosticators: Senior NFL writer Kalyn Kahler, fantasy analyst Eric Moody and analytics writer Seth Walder believe this week's game against the Carolina Panthers could be a little more straightforward.

Each of them picked the Atlanta Falcons to beat the Carolina Panthers on Sunday afternoon in Charlotte.

ESPN's Falcons at Panthers prediction:

Kahler's choice: Falcons 21, Panthers 13

Moody's choice: Falcons 35, Panthers 21

Walder's choice: Falcons 34, Panthers 23

FPI forecast: ATL, 62.0% (average 5.2 points)

Kahler and Moody predict the Falcons' games will be 2-2. They missed the first two and correctly decided the Chiefs and Saints games. Walder is 1-3; The difference was that the Saints beat the Falcons 29-20.

There were no Falcons vs. Buccaneers predictions from this group, as their weekly picks were released on Friday after the Falcons beat the Bucs.

Walder is jumping on the Bijan Robinson bandwagon this week. Carolina's run defense has been poor this season, and with quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​putting pressure on the back end of the defense, Robinson should have a lot more room to run.

“Bijan Robinson will be the highest scoring fantasy running back in Week 6, making an impact in both the running and passing games. The Panthers defense is the cure for all problems,” Walder wrote in a bold prediction for this game.

Walder was in step with ESPN colleague Dan Graziano. Earlier this week, Graziano gave his fantasy football tip of the week and also praised Robinson for a big game.

“Don’t give up on Bijan Robinson,” Graziano pleaded on ESPN+. “Don’t put him on the bench. Don't trade him away. I understand. I feel your pain. I live it with you. But (A) the Falcons' running back was fine, even if you drafted him for more than good, and (B) he's playing against the Panthers this week. Carolina is giving up the second-most fantasy points per game this season.

ESPN has made the Falcons a six-point away favorite in a building that has seen some of Atlanta's worst moments over the last two seasons. The Falcons have experienced wins and losses all season. Critics say Atlanta could easily be 0-5 this year. Well, they're probably only two plays away from being 5-0, so 3-2 sounds about right.

This game against the Panthers needs no drama. Carolina is in turmoil right now. They are in an identity crisis, starting with property, and have been struck by hurt. The weather shouldn't matter on a beautiful fall afternoon.

The Falcons take care of business.

Hawks: 27
Panthers: 13

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