NFL Week 5: Undefeated Falcons fancied for Redskins result

Atlanta Falcons will try to extend their record to a perfect 5-0 on Sunday when they play host to Washington Redskins as 7.5-point favourites in NFL betting with Coral.

The Falcons have been one of the surprises of the early season, posting four wins, including three upset victories over NFC East opponents. Atlanta thus join Carolina Panthers atop the NFC South division, but are more fancied to go all the way and win SuperBowl 50/1 at 18/1.

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is fulfilling his long awaited potential this year, throwing for 1202 yards through his first four outings, trailing only San Diego Chargers’ Phillip Rivers among NFL quarterbacks.

Ryan’s favorite target Julio Jones, a 9/2 price to score the first touchdown, is also among the leaders in receiving yards, with 478, lifting Atlanta to fifth in the league in total yardage and third in points per game.

Atlanta’s early success is a marked departure from their bitterly disappointing 2014 campaign, when they finished with a 6-9-1 record, well out of playoff contention.

The Redskins are the Falcons’ fourth NFC East opponent of the season, after they posted stunning wins over Philadelphia, Dallas and New York Giants. Washington own a 2-2 record, good for a share of the division lead, and have emerged as one of the NFL’s top defenses, holding opponents to 19.8 points per game.

However, they have alternated between wins and losses over their past seven, both SU and ATS, are coming off 23-20 victory over the Eagles last weekend, and are in the midst of a four-game SU losing streak against Atlanta, 1-3 ATS.