Can the Commanders help the Rams clinch the NFC West?
Wrapping up the Week 17 Sunday slate of games will be a big one for the Los Angeles Rams. The Washington Commanders will take on the Atlanta Falcons. With a Commanders win, the Rams could clinch the NFC West and lock up a spot on the playoffs.
Getting his second start in as many weeks for the Falcons will be rookie quarterback Michael Penix. Penix got his first start last week and led the Falcons to a win over the New York Giants. The Falcons rookie went 18-for-27 for 202 yards and an interceptions. While the stat sheet wasn’t impressive, Penix looked pretty good and gave the Falcons offense more variety in the passing game.
With the Philadelphia Eagles win against the Dallas Cowboys, the Commanders can no longer win the NFC East. However, the Commanders will still be playing for playoff position. If the Commanders beat the Falcons, they would move up to the sixth seed in the NFC playoff picture. As it stands, that would put the Commanders against the Rams on Super Wild Card Weekend. The Commanders have won their last three games and look to be playing better after a midseason lull.
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Commanders are 3.5-point favorites at home against the Falcons. These are two evenly matched teams who are both fighting for playoff position. The question will be whether or not the Falcons defense can stop the Commanders offense. This will be Penix’s first road game in the NFL and in primetime. I’ll take the Commanders to cover at home.
The Pick: Commanders (-3.5)
Season Record: 23-26
