Falcons favored by just a field goal over Titans, likely due to Thursday Night Football loss

I'll be straightforward, here: The Falcons are favored by about three points over the Titans, and I can't for the life of me figure out why it's not more.

That's not to say that a team with Marcus Mariota and some tough defensive pieces isn't worth worrying about, or that a road game isn't inherently challenging. The Falcons will have enjoyed ten days of rest by the time this game rolls around, Julio Jones, Mike Person, and Justin Durant could and/or should all be healthy, and the Titans are coming off a 38-10 loss to a Dolphins team so dysfunctional it's being piloted by the team's former tight ends coach. The Titans, in other words, have some work to do, while the Falcons have one shaky win and one lousy short-week loss after four quality weeks. I'm legitimately surprised the Falcons aren't favored by more than a field goal.

Of course, that surprise means nothing if Atlanta doesn't show up on Sunday and play better football than they have against Washington and New Orleans, and the oddsmakers are probably a little spooked after those two relative duds. With time, good health, and plenty of motivation to get this thing sorted out and keep up with the resurgent Carolina Panthers, I sincerely hope we don't see Atlanta come out flat. If they don't, this line is going to look pretty conservative in the end, I'd wager.