Saints vs. Panthers Prediction
Will the Saints pull off the upset tonight when they visit the Panthers at 8:25PM ET for Thursday Night Football?
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetDSI, the Panthers are now 3-point home favorites versus the Saints after opening as a 4-point favorite. As for the total, the number hit the board at 52 points and that’s where it currently sits at most online and Vegas sports books.
SAINTS KEY TRENDS: The Saints are a perfect 6-0 against the spread in their last six road games and have covered the number in five of their last six games overall. They’re also 6-1 at the betting window in their last seven games versus NFC South rivals and are 6-2 against the spread when coming off a loss in their previous game.
PANTHERS KEY TRENDS: The Panthers have struggled versus divisional foes, failing to cover in four of their last five games against NFC South rivals. They’re also just 1-5-1 against the spread in their last seven games overall and 1-4-1 ATS in their last six games versus NFC opponents. That said, they’re 8-3 against the number in their last 11 home games and are 11-4-1 at the betting window in their last 16 home games versus a team with a losing road record.
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OUR PREDICTION: The majority of public bettors are backing the Saints tonight after Drew Brees put on an aerial show at the Superdome the first time these two teams met this season. Brees threw for 465 yards and four touchdowns in the Saints’ 41-38 victory but he also attacked rookie corners and was only sacked once. Since that thrashing, Carolina’s secondary has had an additional four weeks to gain some experience and the pass rush is significantly better, as the Panthers have racked up 15 sacks in their three games since that loss in New Orleans. If the Panthers can make Brees uncomfortable in the pocket, then they can disrupt the Saints’ explosive passing attack. Out of Brees’ five games of at least 350 yards against the Panthers, only one came in Carolina – a 359-yard effort in a 30-27 win back in 2011. The Panthers also have a slight advantage playing at home on a short week.
NFL WEEK 12 PREDICTION: CAROLINA PANTHERS -3