The Atlanta Falcons have been one of the more difficult teams to predict week in and week out. They flipped the script the first two weeks of the season by 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 they’ve been one of the most entertaining teams of the year, if not the most predictable.

The Falcons Podcast: Spotify | Apple pods | iHart

ESPN’s panelist of prognosticators: senior NFL writer Kalyn Kahler, fantasy analyst Eric Moody and analytical writer Seth Walder think this week’s game against the Carolina Panthers might be a bit easier.

Each of them has picked the Atlanta Falcons to take on 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 prediction: ATL, 62.0% (with an average of 5.2 points)

Kahler and Moody predict 2-2 Falcons games. They missed the first two and correctly called the Chiefs and Saints games. Walder is 1-3; the difference was he had the Saints beat the Falcons 29-20.

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

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

“Bijan Robinson will be the top scoring fantasy pick in Week 6, making an impact in both the run and pass games. The Panthers defense is the answer to all woes,” Walder wrote as this game’s bold prediction .

Walder was in lockstep with ESPN colleague Dan Graziano. Earlier this week, Graziano gave his fantasy football tip of the week, and he also briefed Robinson before a big game.

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

ESPN has made the Falcons a six-point road favorite in a building that has seen some of Atlanta’s worst moments over the past two seasons. The Falcons have been on the edge of wins and losses all season. Opponents say Atlanta could easily be 0-5 this year. Well, it’s probably two more plays before it becomes 5-0, so 3-2 sounds about right.

This game against the Panthers doesn’t need any drama. Carolina is currently in turmoil. They have an identity crisis that starts with ownership and have been ravaged by injuries. Weather shouldn’t be a factor on a beautiful fall afternoon.

The Falcons take care of business.

Falcons: 27
Panthers: 13

Follow FalconsSI FACEBOOK | X | YouTube