Falcons vs. Panthers 2013 odds: Panthers favored big at home

The Carolina Panthers host the Atlanta Falcons in Week 9, and Vegas is predicting a one-sided match. According to OddsShark, the Panthers are favored by 7.5 points, with some books favoring them by as many as nine points.

The Panthers are surging after a slow start to the season, winning three straight games. They crushed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 31-13, last Thursday, easily covering the minus-6.5 point spread. The Panthers are now 4-3 on the season and are also 4-3 against the spread. Their defense remains one of the best in football, and the running game should get a boost with Jonathan Stewart expected back.

The Falcons, meanwhile, are going nowhere fast, losing four out of their last five games. They fell to the Arizona Cardinals, 27-13, last week. Atlanta were 2.5-point underdogs and never came close to covering. They fall to 2-5 on the season and 2-5 against the spread. Injuries and a poor defense have completely derailed the Falcons, who entered the season with Super Bowl aspirations.