Cardinals vs. Panthers Prediction
Will the Panthers pick up their second victory of the season when they host the Cardinals at 1:00PM ET today?
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetDSI, the Panthers are 2.5-point home favorites versus the Cardinals while the over/under currently sits at 46.5 points. Carolina has bounced back and forth between being a 3-point favorite and a 2.5-point favorite, while the total hit the board at 48 before being bet down to the current number of 46.5.
The Cardinals are just 1-5 in their last six games against the Panthers in Carolina, which includes last season’s NFC Conference Championship matchup. The Cardinals are also seeking to move above .500 through eight games for the third straight season while receiver Larry Fitzgerald needs seven receptions to move ahead of Reggie Wayne into seventh place all-time.
The Panthers are coming off their bye, which hasn’t been a good thing under head coach Ron Rivera. They’re just 1-4 following their off week under Rivera since 2011, although they haven’t lost five straight games since a six-game losing streak from Week 7-13 in 2014. Thus, something has to give for Rivera’s squad.
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OUR PREDICTION: This is a tough spot for Arizona. The Cardinals have to be frustrated and exhuasted following their 6-6 tie with the Seahawks last Sunday night at home. They had multiple chances throughout the game to extend their lead and put the nail in the coffin, yet they still found themselves tied with the Seahawks after overtime. So here you have the Panthers, fresh off their bye, taking on a Cardinals team that played an extra quarter last week following a physical game against their biggest rival.
I know the Cards will be motivated to beat the Panthers after Carolina routed them last season in the NFC title game, but physical Arizona might not be up for it. Plus, Carson Palmer and Bruce Arians’ passing game hasn’t been in sync all season and through the air is how teams have beaten the Panthers this season. If Carolina can contain David Johnson then the Panthers should win and cover.
NFL WEEK 8 PREDICTION: CAROLINA PANTHERS -2.5