The Carolina Panthers will put their four-game winning streak on the line when they take on the New Orleans Saints in a big NFC South matchup on Sunday. The game will be played at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, and is scheduled to start at 4:25 PM. ET.
Panthers vs Saints Odds
Point Spread and Over/Under
- Carolina Panthers +4.5
- New Orleans Saints -4.5
- Over/Under 48
My Pick
Carolina Panthers Analysis…
The Panthers find themselves with a share of the NFC South lead, and will own the outright lead with a win over their rivals on Sunday.
Even though they have one of the best records in the NFC this year, the Panthers have been a very inconsistent team. At times they have looked unbeatable, and at other times they leave you wondering how they have a winning record.
On Sunday, Cam Newton had one of his worst performances as a pro, completing 11 of 28 passes for 168 yards against the Jets. A week after completing 60 percent of his passes for 245 yards and 4 touchdowns, while adding another 95 yards on the ground against the Miami Dolphins.
To defeat the Saints, Newton will have to play like he did against the Dolphins, or else they will be run out of the stadium by the Saints for the second time this season.
New Orleans Saints Analysis…
The Saints had their eight-game winning streak snapped by the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, but they can take some solace in the fact that they were able to rally in the second half of the game, and almost completed their comeback.
Against the Panthers, they will try to avoid falling behind early as they are going up against a defense that can be very tough to score against when they are playing hard.
Drew Brees has been the catalyst behind the Saints offensive success since he signed with the team, but this year, he has a running game to take some of the pressure off him.
Mark Ingram is on pace for another 1,000 yard season, and rookie Alvin Kamara has emerged as a great complimentary back, and finished with 188 yards from scrimmage against the Rams.
If the Saints establish the run early, they will be able to tire out the Panthers defense, allowing Brees to pick the secondary apart.
Defensively, the Saints have drastically improved this season, and are holding opponents to 20.2 points per game, which is 12th in the league. If their defense keeps playing like it has for the rest of the season, the Saints will be a difficult team to beat when the playoffs start.
Final word…
The Saints are very dangerous, but the Panthers are very good on the road and they will be trying to avenge their loss to the Saints earlier in the season, so take the Panthers +4.5 in this one.
Play: Panthers +4.5
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