San Francisco 49ers vs. Atlanta Falcons Odds, Spread, Preview: NFL Week 6 Predictions

San Francisco 49ers vs. Atlanta Falcons Week 6 matchup preview and current betting lines

San Francisco heads to Atlanta in search of its third consecutive win. The 49ers are on a roll and it’s looking more and more as if the one-year contract offered to Jimmy Garoppolo was a season-saving move.

The Niners (3-2) are coming off of a 37-15 dismantling of the Panthers. Garoppolo certainly isn’t a gunslinger who lights up the box score, but does help move the ball up and down the field. 

Against Carolina, the 30-year-old threw for 253 yards and a score, on 18-of-30 attempts. This season, the Eastern Illinois product has five touchdowns compared to just one interception. 

49ers players have rallied around his energy and skillset. Garoppolo led his team last year to the NFC Championship where he narrowly lost 23-20 to the Rams. 

In week 4, Kyle Shanahan and company were able to get revenge, defeating Los Angeles 24-9. Shanahan is now 7-3 against his friend Sean McVay. Both coaches are products of his father’s (Mike Shanahan) coaching tree.

Atlanta (2-3) has played surprisingly well this season. On many sportsbooks, the organization was 60-1 to win the NFC South. Those odds were worse than many teams’ odds to win the Super Bowl.

Marcus Mariota has replaced Matt Ryan (longtime Falcon) after leaving for Indianapolis. The former Heisman Trophy winner is considered a journeyman quarterback after previously playing for Tennessee (lost starting job to Ryan Tannehill) and Oakland (backup to Derek Carr). 

Last week, the Falcons nearly mounted a crazy comeback away to Tampa. The red and black were down 21-0 at the start of the fourth quarter. Mariota and company responded with two fourth quarter touchdowns, including a successful two-point conversion, to cut the lead to 21-15 with 4:38 remaining. 

The Bucs received the kickoff and were able to earn four first downs to run out the clock. There was a controversial roughing the passer penalty on a third down, when Brady Jarrett sacked Tom Brady. Tampa Bay would’ve been forced to punt, but the penalty extended the drive with an automatic first down. This prevented the Falcons from receiving the ball back and a chance at winning.

The Falcons are the only team in the NFL undefeated vs. the spread (5-0). The six-point loss to Tampa was the largest deficit in a defeat they’ve suffered. In its three losses, Atlanta has been defeated by an average of 3.66 points.

The current moneyline odds for this matchup on FanDuel Sportsbook are San Francisco (-235) vs. Atlanta (+194). Oddsmakers favor the 49ers as 5.5-point favorites at -110 odds. Among the public, 59% of spread bets have been placed on the 49ers to cover. Although, 82% of the money has been placed on Atlanta to cover.

Players to watch in the San Francisco vs. Atlanta contest

San Francisco

George Kittle: The Pro Bowl tight end has had a slow start to the season and has only played in three contests. In the three games, Kittle has 11 receptions for 99 yards on 15 targets. The “full of life” tight end is a fantastic receiving threat but is arguably the best blocking tight end in the league. That’s where he’s been utilized. Kittle did have 910 yards and six touchdowns in 2021-2022, so it’ll be interesting to see if Shanahan uses him more in the passing game. 

Atlanta

Kyle Pitts: In 2021, Atlanta used the No. 4 overall pick in the draft to select Pitts. The 6-foot-6, 246-pounder’s speed, route running and excellent hands in college turned him into the highest drafted tight end in NFL history. The Florida product was expected to become one of the primary weapons in Atlanta’s offense. That wasn’t the case last season and this year the scenario has remained the same. Pitts only has 10 receptions in four games played for 150 yards and zero touchdowns. 

Our NFL bet of the week for the 49ers vs. Falcons

ESTNN is providing wagerers with two free selections for this game.

San Francisco vs Atlanta Spread: 49ers -5.5 @ -110

All good things must come to an end. The Falcons have exceeded expectations and have kept games close. We believe at ESTNN that this will be the week, the undefeated record against the spread for the Falcons ends. Gamblers who kept betting the Falcons each week to cover were so enamored by them, (Cowboys fans look away) they nicknamed them “America’s Team”.

Atlanta’s offense, which hasn’t been great (24th in total offense) will play a Niners defense that is on pace to finish historically as one of the NFL’s greatest units for a season. San Francisco ranks first in the following categories: Total defense, (249.2 yards allowed per game) points allowed, (12.2, tied with Buffalo) yards per rush, (3.0) average first downs allowed, (15.8) yards per play (4) and defensive efficiency (79.98).

This poses a huge problem for Mariota and his No. 24 ranked offense (334 yards per game). On the other side of the ball, San Francisco ranks eighth in the NFL in rushing yards per game (138.8) while Atlanta ranks 29th in that category defensively (164 rush yards per game).

When the 49ers don’t throw an interception they are 10-0 since the start of the 2021 season. Garoppolo only has one so far in 2022-2023. The Falcons are pressuring opposing quarterbacks on only 17% of pass attempts since 2021, which ranks them last in the league. They also didn’t record a sack on 52 pass attempts last week. 

If Garoppolo doesn’t face too much pressure, he should prevent himself from turning over the ball and the 49ers should cover the 5.5-point spread. FanDuel is offering -110 odds on its sportsbook. 

bet on nfl with fanduel >

49ers vs. Falcons odds: Jeff Wilson over 65.5 rushing yards @ -110

Jeff Wilson has become the primary back since Elijah Mitchell went down in week one due to injury. The North Texas product has eclipsed 74 rushing yards in all four games he’s started this season. 

Wilson is averaging 88.25 yards per contest and ran rampant last week against the Panthers. The 25-year-old rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries. The 25-year-old has 17 or more touches in every game he’s started. 

Against Atlanta’s defense that struggles against the run, Wilson should run for more than 65.5 yards. Bettors can bet the prop on bet365 sportsbook at -110 odd. 

If you’re interested in learning about more prop bets for week 6, read our NFL player props page.

bet on nfl with BET365