Panthers favored by 6.5
CHARLOTTE, NC (The Spread) – The 2015 NFL Playoffs get underway today at 4:35PM ET when the Arizona Cardinals face the Carolina Panthers. Here’s a breakdown of the game.
There was a point where it looked like Arizona might be the team to beat in the NFC. Then Carson Palmer got hurt. Then Drew Stanton got hurt. Then Andre Ellington got hurt. The Cardinals are down to their third-string QB and second-string RB. Arizona has lost four of its last six to go 11-5 on the season and finish a game behind Seattle in the NFC West. The Cards were 11-5 against the spread this season and they have covered in three of their last four games.
Carolina looked completely out of the playoff hunt at one point when they went two months without a win. However, the Panthers rallied in the final month, winning four straight to go 7-8-1, which was enough to win the NFC South by ½ a game. Carolina was 8-8 against the spread for the season, but went just 3-5 ATS in its last 8 games.
According to oddsmakers from Bovada.lv, Carolina is the favorite to win this game, as the Panthers are getting odds of -6.5 points against the Cardinals. The over/under total for the game has been set at 38 points (View Matchup). The home team has won and covered the spread in the last three meetings between these two.
The real question for this game will be what can Arizona do offensively with such a limited roster at the key positions. Carolina has been strong as of late on defense and giving up just 339.8 yards per game on defense this season. The Cardinals will be looking to rely on its defense, which allowed nearly 370 yards per game, along with its special teams, to get itself a win today.
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