Saints vs. Panthers Predictions, Odds, Picks

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

3 minute read

Sept. 19, 2021

Jonathan Willis
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers Predictions

Score Prediction - New Orleans 21 Carolina 20

Jameis Winston couldn’t have asked for a better start to the 2021 season. In New Orleans’ first game without franchise legend Drew Brees, Winston threw for five touchdowns in a 38-3 throttling of the Green Bay Packers. The Saints are unlikely to have the same good fortune this week against the Carolina Panthers though.

While Winston threw for five touchdowns, he only connected on one pass over 20 yards. New Orleans made the most of great field position and a solid run game in its season opener, as the Saints ran for 171 yards and averaged 4.4 YPC. Alvin Kamara appeared ready to carry the load on the ground, but he was nullified as a receiver out of the backfield.

Kamara should play much more of a role as a receiver in this game. New Orleans doesn’t have a lot of good options for Winston to throw to with Michael Thomas out for the next month. Sean Payton has repeatedly stressed the importance of checking down rather than committing the turnovers that plagued Winston with Tampa Bay, so Kamara should be much more productive.

Maybe a change of scenery was all that Sam Darnold needed after all. Darnold looked sharp against his former team in Week 1, averaging 8.0 YPA without throwing an interception. He has more talent around him than he ever had in New York with Robby Anderson and D.J. Moore as 1,000-yard receivers, and Christian McCaffrey showed no signs of lingering injury in last week’s win.

McCaffrey hasn’t had much success in his six previous games against the Saints though. New Orleans has done a good job shutting him down, allowing Run CMC to average just 3.2 YPC in 60 carries. He has been an effective receiver out of the backfield though, averaging 60.7 receiving YPG against New Orleans.

The point total has gone UNDER in five straight games played between Dallas and Tampa Bay. (AP)

New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers Best Bets

• Under 45

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New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers Game Odds

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New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers Betting Resources

• Matchup: NFC South
• Venue: Bank of America Stadium
• Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
• TV-Time: FOX - 1:00 p.m. ET

• Line Movements
• Betting Trend Movements
• Weather Report
• Injury Report
• Super Bowl 56 Betting

New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers Betting Analysis

Carolina should be able to keep it within the number against New Orleans. While the Saints have more talent, the preparation situation this week is a mess as multiple coaches are currently in the COVID protocol. That makes the under a solid pick too, as these defenses should be able to limit big plays and stop the run.

New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers Betting Trends

• Carolina has failed to cover the spread in seven straight divisional home games.
• Carolina has gone UNDER the point total in four straight games.
• New Orleans has won nine straight divisional road games.

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