Carolina at New Orleans Betting Spread & Prediction

Posted by Jordan Walters on Friday,October 14, 2016 8:47, EDT in

The most disappointing team in the NFL thus far has been defending NFC champion Carolina as the Panthers are just 1-4 and nearly dead in the water for a return to the playoffs. But they are expecting back reigning NFL MVP Cam Newton from a concussion for Sunday’s visit to NFC West rival New Orleans. Carolina is a slight favorite on NFL odds.

Here’s a Closer Look at the Carolina at New Orleans Betting Spread, Prediction & TV Info

When: Sunday, Oct. 16, 1 PM ET
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, New Orleans
TV: Fox
Radio: Carolina / New Orleans
Stream Option: NFL Live
Opening NFL Lines: Panthers -2.5 (53)

Why Bet on Carolina?

Panthers fans still can have some hope. Since 1990, 54 teams have advanced to the postseason after starting the season 2-3 or worse. There were four such teams last season – Houston (1-4), Kansas City (1-4), Seattle (2-3) and Washington (2-3) – including two teams which rebounded from 1-4 starts. None of the previous four teams that started 1-5 or worse after reaching the Super Bowl has made the playoffs, though. That includes the 2004 Panthers, who began 1-7 after losing to New England in Super Bowl XXXVIII.

Carolina lost at home Monday night 17-14 to Tampa Bay without Newton. Roberto Aguayo kicked a 38-yard field goal as time expired. Jameis Winston led a 66-yard drive to get the Buccaneers into field goal range. A costly 15-yard facemask penalty on Kony Ealy hurt the Panthers. They turned the ball over four times, three of those by Derek Anderson, who was filling in for Newton. Greg Olsen had a career-high 181 yards receiving on nine catches and Cameron Artis-Payne ran for two touchdowns for the Panthers. Carolina turned the ball over just 19 times last season en route to the Super Bowl. This year they already have 14 turnovers.

Newton is back at practice and should play barring a setback. In addition, running back Jonathan Stewart should play after missing a few games with a hamstring injury. The Panthers don’t plan to restrict Newton in terms of running plays because he is coming off a concussion.

“That’s his game,” offensive coordinator Mike Shula said. “We will look at him and talk about it, but part of his game and what makes him so good is that.”

Why Bet on New Orleans?

The Saints have a 9-11 record vs. Carolina in games played in New Orleans. Of the 42 games in the series, 20 have been decided by eight points or less, with New Orleans winning nine. Of the last 10 meetings between the two clubs, six have been settled by eight points or less. Coach Sean Payton says his team is expecting Newton to play.

New Orleans headed into Week 5 bye with at least a measure of hope after first win of season in Week 4 — a 35-34 barn-burner over Chargers. The Saints’ 6th-ranked offense (386.0 ypg) has scored at least 32 points in 3 of first 4 games. But the defense has allowed at least 34 points in 3 of first 4 games. Drew Brees has completed 65.9 percent of his passes with an excellent 10-3 TD-INT ratio (98.9 QB rating).

Saints wide receiver Willie Snead expects to be back in form by Sunday from a toe injury that has limited him since Week 2. Snead played 50 snaps in Week 4, but he caught just one pass for 23 yards in Saints’ 35-34 victory over the San Diego Chargers. Snead estimated that he was between 80 and 85 percent healthy in that game after he had been held out in Week 3.

Saints TE coach Dan Campbell said Coby Fleener is “coming along” in the offense. Fleener only managed 19 yards on five targets Week 4 against the Chargers and let what would have been a long gain go through his hands. “I really feel like he is getting it,” Campbell said. “I feel like over the last two or three weeks here, he’s really starting to, ‘OK, I got it, I understand what’s going on. I know what Drew’s (Brees) looking for.'”

My Betting Pick

Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in New Orleans.

Panthers are 12-3 ATS in their last 15 meetings in New Orleans.