New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers Odds and Game Pick (2020)
Eliminated from the playoffs week ago, the 5-10 Panthers are solely in the spoiler role.
The Saints need a Week 17 win and some help to secure the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs, as the Packers need to lose and the Seahawks need to win. With both teams favored by around five points, the door is certainly open since the Bears need a win over Green Bay to secure a wild-card spot.
Let’s take a closer look at this NFC South matchup that will almost certainly have playoff implications in one form or another.
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
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Details
- Opening Lines: Panthers +4: OU 51
- Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
- Start Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
- Television: FOX
- Last Meeting: October 25, 2020 – Panthers 24, Saints 27
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NO
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-6.5
-110
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o47.5
-104
|
-300
|
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| JOIN NOW |
CAR
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+6.5
-110
|
u47.5
-118
|
+245
|
View consensus picks and notes from top betting experts for the Saints vs. Panthers
Overview
When Saints quarterback Drew Brees looked to shake off the rust after missing a few games with multiple rib fractures, running back Alvin Kamara was there to help. In their 52-33 Christmas Day win over the Vikings, Kamara ran for a record-tying six touchdowns on the way to a 155-yard performance.
He won’t, however, be available Sunday after testing positive for COVID-19. That could put more on the shoulders of the 41-year-old quarterback.
With three interceptions to go along with three touchdowns in two games since returning, Brees will try to get back on track in what has been an otherwise strong season. His 70.7% completion rate leads all passers, while his QBR (76.1) and quarterback rating (105.4) both rank in the NFL’s top 10.
The Saints have been strong on the defensive side as well, allowing just 22.0 points and 310.3 yards per game. Both reside near the top of the league at eighth and third, respectively.
The Panthers would love to play spoiler against their divisional tormentor. While the season hasn’t gone exactly the way rookie coaches Matt Rhule and Joe Brady would’ve liked, there’s been a ton to build off.
Only four of their 10 losses have been by more than a touchdown. That’s despite playing without All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey for all but three games while overseeing a complete rebuild on the defensive side.
Trends
- Saints are 1-5 ATS in their last six vs. the Panthers.
- The Over is 4-0 in their last four meetings.
- Panthers are 8-1 in their last nine as an underdog.
Prop Bet
Panthers 1st Half Team Total – Over 10 (+105)
Despite the Saints’ stellar defensive play down the stretch, the unit suffered two key injuries that could affect them Sunday. Linebacker Kwon Alexander was lost for the season following an Achilles tendon tear on Christmas Day, and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson went on the COVID-19 list. Though they should adjust fine, look for Carolina to take advantage of both holes early.
Bottom Line
Make no mistake about it, Teddy “Two Gloves†Bridgewater will come to ball in this one. Despite being out of the playoffs, the perpetual underdog still is looking to prove himself against his former team as the guy for the starting job in 2021. A win over the Saints would go a long way.
While they’ll once again be without McCaffrey, I like the Panthers to do enough to hang in and cover the spread. As most bettors will likely rush into bet the favorite Saints, you may be able to grab +6.5 right before kickoff. Yet that may change in light of the Kamara news, as the line has already dropped from +7 on Friday night,
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TJ Perun is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from TJ, check out his archive and follow him @JohnnyCovers.