Let’s figure out if this is a good spot to back Washington to pull off a slight upset. However, the Falcons don't resemble a dominant defensive team, as they rank 25th in yards allowed and 28th against the pass. Fast forward to this week and the line is not moving towards the Hawks, but against them. Vegas has instilled the Falcons as the better raptor on this occasion, putting up a line of -3.5 in favor of Atlanta. That line has summarily gotten hammered and crossed the important number 4, settling in at 4.5 as I write this on Monday night. Pick: Patriots 31, Falcons 24 The Falcons’ biggest problem is at quarterback, which in today’s NFL means it will be a dogfight to compete in every game. Desmond Ridder may have been efficient, completing 15-of-18 passes for just 115 yards, but in a league dominated by the passing game, Atlanta is behind the eight ball.