Washington Football Team vs. Carolina Panthers Predictions, Odds, Picks

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

4 minute read

Nov. 21, 2021

Jonathan Willis
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

Former allies clash on Sunday as Ron Rivera's Washington Football Team visit Cam Newton's Carolina Panthers. Opening kick is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET and will air on FOX from Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Score Prediction

Panthers 27, WFT 20

Best Bets

Panthers -3

Over

Washington Football Team vs. Carolina Panthers Predictions

The Carolina Panthers might be poised to make a playoff run with the return of Cam Newton. The former NFL MVP will make his first start with the Panthers since September 2019. He was released at the end of the 2019 season after being sidelined for 14 games due to injury, but Newton gave the team a spark in last week’s upset win over Arizona. Newton will look to keep it going this week against the Washington Football Team.

It’s fitting that Newton will make his return against former Carolina head coach Ron Rivera. Riverboat Ron was the Panthers’ head coach from 2011 to 2019 before being sacked and replaced by Matt Rhule. Rivera would love to take down his former team, but a revitalized Carolina with Cam at the helm will be too much.

Washington Football Team vs. Carolina Panthers Betting Odds

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Washington Football Team vs. Carolina Panthers Betting Resources

• Matchup: NFC East vs. NFC South
• Date: Sunday, November 21, 2021
• Venue: Bank of America Stadium
• Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
• TV-Time: FOX - 1:00 p.m. ET

• Weather Report
• Injury Report
• Super Bowl 56 Betting

Washington Football Team Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 3-6
• ATS: 2-7
• O/U: 4-5
• ATS - Home: 1-4
• ATS - Away: 1-3

Taylor Heinicke is coming off his most impressive game of the season. Heinicke completed 81.3% of his passes and averaged 8.0 YPA in last week’s upset win over Tampa Bay. He is the second leading rusher on the team too, averaging 6.3 YPC to give Washington more of a run threat.

His favorite target continues to be Terry McLaurin who is on pace to catch almost 90 passes for over 1,100 yards and seven touchdowns this season. However, tight end Ricky Seals-Jones is out for this game with a hip injury.

Antonio Gibson is the leading rusher on Washington, but he is averaging just 3.7 YPC. We have seen the team turn to J.D. McKissic more often in recent weeks, as he is averaging 4.0 YPC and 9.9 YPR.

Washington has done a good job stopping the run. The team is allowing 4.0 YPC and 97.1 YPG on the ground. However, the pass rush has really struggled and will take a major hit with Chase Young now out for the year due to injury. Jonathan Allen and Montez Sweat will be asked to do more with Young sidelined.

Carolina Panthers Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 5-5
• ATS: 5-5
• O/U: 3-7
• ATS - Home: 2-3
• ATS - Away: 3-2

Newton didn’t do much in the win over Arizona last week, but he gave the team a spark that it hadn’t had under either Sam Darnold or P.J. Walker. Newton is the most successful quarterback in franchise history, so it’s no surprise to see him back under center. He wasn’t great with the Patriots last year though, and he hasn’t played quality football since the first half of 2018.

Star running back Christian McCaffrey is Carolina’s best weapon. He is averaging 4.4 YPC and 9.4 YPR as the Panthers’ second leading rusher and second leading receiver. McCaffrey has missed five games this season due to injury, and they are happy to have him back in the lineup in place of rookie Chuba Hubbard.

D.J. Moore is the No. 1 receiver, but the Panthers might use Robby Anderson more with Newton under center. Moore has finished with just seven receptions for 56 yards in Carolina’s last two games.

This Panthers’ defense is one of the best in the NFL. Carolina ranks sixth in scoring defense (19.3 PPG), second in total defense (280.7 YPG), and second in yards per play. Haason Reddick and Brian Burns have combined for 15.5 sacks, and this team has forced 11 fumbles.

Carolina has failed to cover the spread in three straight home games. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Washington Football Team

• Record: 3-6
• Division Standing: 3rd - NFC East
• Points Scored: 185
• Points Allowed: 246
• PS/G: 20.6 (20th)
• PA/G: 27.3 (28th)

Inside the Stats - Carolina Panthers

• Record: 5-5
• Division Standing: 3rd - NFC South
• Points Scored: 205
• Points Allowed: 193
• PS/G: 20.5 (21st)
• PA/G: 19.3 (6th)

Key Players to Watch

• WFT: Taylor Heinicke - QB (201/306, 2,184 yards, 12 TD, 9 INT)
• WFT: Antonio Gibson - RB (135 carries, 506 yards, 5 TD)
• CAR: Cam Newton - QB (3/4, 75 yards, TD - 3 carries, 14 yards, TD)
• CAR: Christian McCaffrey - RB (79 carries, 348 yards, TD)

Washington Football Team vs. Carolina Panthers Betting Conclusion

Newton’s ability to make things happen with his legs will be the difference in Carolina’s victory on Sunday. This could be the start of something big for the Panthers, as they face Miami and Atlanta in their next two games.

Washington Football Team vs. Carolina Panthers Betting Trends

• Carolina has failed to cover the spread in three straight home games.
• Carolina has lost five of its last six games when facing a team with a losing record.
• Washington has gone UNDER the point total in four straight games.

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