NFL San Francisco and Carolina Week 2 Favorites

The San Francisco 49ers looked fantastic in beating the lowly Los Angeles Rams 28-0 on Monday night while the Carolina Panthers underachieved in their humbling 21-20 Week 1 loss against Denver. Now, with both teams looking to pick up another win in Week 2, let’s find out which one is offering the best value against the NFL betting lines.

In Depth Analysis On The NFL 49ers At Panthers Week 2 Favorites

When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, September 18, 2016 Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina TV: FOX NFL Odds: Carolina Panthers -13 / Over/Under: 45.5    

Bet The San Francisco 49ers +13 Because…

The San Francisco 49ers looked very impressive in Week 1. Quarterback Blaine Gabbert didn’t make any real big plays, but he looked solid against Los Angeles by completing 22 of 35 passes for 170 yards with one touchdown while avoiding turning the ball over. Incredibly, Gabbert now has thrown a touchdown pass in 11 straight games. Gifted running back Carlos Hyde rushed for 88 yards and two touchdowns in the win and the Niners’ defense harassed Case Keenum early and often while basically shutting down running back Todd Gurley. Pro Bowl linebacker NaVorro Bowman recorded nine tackles in the win while Ahmad Brooks added one sack and Ray-Ray Armstrong, one interception.

Bet The Carolina Panthers -13 Because…

The Panthers know they can’t afford to lose this contest. Carolina ended up on the wrong end of a heartbreaking loss against Denver last week and will enter this contest looking to make amends. Cam Newton passed for 194 yards and one touchdown in the loss but also tossed one interception. Kelvin Benjamin and Greg Olsen combined for 164 receiving yards and one touchdown and veteran running back Jonathan Stewart rushed for 64 yards on 15 carries. Pro Bowl linebacker Luke Kuechly recorded a team-high 10 tackles while Tre Boston added one sack and Thomas Davis, one interception.

Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction

While I don’t think there’s any way whatsoever that Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers lose this Week 2 matchup at home against a Niners team that may not be quite as good as they looked against the Rams, I do like the Niners to find a way to cover the spread as a nearly two-touchdown road dog. San Francisco may be 5-11 SU in its last 16 games while Carolina has gone 17-3 SU in its last 20 games, but I like Frisco’s performance last weekend and their apparent new mindset under head coach Chip Kelly. If nothing else, Kelly’s offensive acumen has shown he knows how to put the ball in the end zone at any level whether in college at Oregon or in the NFL with Philadelphia. While the Panthers know they cannot afford to lose this game and fall into a 0-2 hole after two games, I say the ATS cover goes to the Niners.

My Pick: Carolina 27 San Francisco 21