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Carolina Panthers vs. Buffalo Bills Predictions, Odds, Picks

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
5 minute read
Dec. 19, 2021
Jonathan Willis
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

Week 15 NFL Picks & Predictions

Games Scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET

The Buffalo Bills will take on the Carolina Panthers on Sunday afternoon, as the Bills' head coach is very familiar with Carolina as the former defensive coordinator before taking the Buffalo job. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET and will air on FOX from Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York.

Score Prediction

Bills 30, Panthers 20

Best Bets

Over 44 (-110) at CircaSports

Carolina Panthers vs. Buffalo Bills Predictions

This is a must-win game for the Buffalo Bills. The one-time favorite to win the AFC is now fighting for a Wild Card berth at 7-6. They have to travel to New England next week, so they must be able to knock off the Carolina Panthers this week.

Matt Rhule isn’t in a great spot with the Carolina Panthers. Carolina has tried to use three different quarterbacks this season, but none of the three have had much success running this offense. That puts the Panthers at a pretty big disadvantage the Buffalo Bills, as they at least have a bonafide starter in Josh Allen despite their other troubles.

Carolina Panthers vs. Buffalo Bills Betting Odds

More Odds | Futures Odds




Carolina Panthers vs. Buffalo Bills Betting Resources

  • Matchup: NFC South vs. AFC East
  • Date: Sunday, December 19, 2021
  • Venue: Highmark Stadium
  • Location: Orchard Park, New York
  • TV-Time: FOX - 1:00 p.m. ET

Week 15 NFL Picks & Predictions

Games Scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET through 8:20 p.m. ET

Carolina Panthers Betting Analysis

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

  • SU: 5-8
  • ATS: 5-8
  • O/U: 6-7
  • ATS - Away: 3-3

Cam Newton will start under center for Carolina this week. Newton hasn’t been good since returning to the Panthers, completing just 58.7% of his passes for 467 yards (6.2 YPA) with three touchdowns and three interceptions. The former NFL MVP remains a good runner when he decides to scramble, but his arm is not as scary as it was a few years ago. That means we could see P.J. Walker in certain situations.

The loss of Christian McCaffrey for the season has hamstrung this offense. McCaffrey was sensational in 2018 and 2019, but he only played three games in 2020 and suited up just seven times this season. That has put the onus on rookie Chuba Hubbard, but the Oklahoma State product has not been as efficient. Hubbard is averaging 3.5 YPC and 8.0 YPR, ranking a yard behind Run CMC in both stats.

Robby Anderson is coming off his best game of the season, catching seven passes for 84 yards and a touchdown last week. D.J. Moore could surpass 1,000 receiving yards for the year in this game, but there isn’t a quality receiver other than him.

Carolina ranks second in the NFL in total defense and eighth in scoring defense. The Panthers are only conceding 4.9 yards per play, and there are multiple standouts on this side of the ball. Derrick Brown, Brian Burns, Haason Reddick, and Stephon Gilmore make this a formidable unit.

Buffalo Bills Betting Analysis

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

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

It’s wild to think that Allen was the favorite to win the NFL MVP award a little over a month ago. Allen was lights out for the first two months of the season, but he has not been at his best since the start of November with 11 touchdown passes and eight interceptions in that stretch. He has also averaged 6.0 YPA or less in five of those seven games.

Stefon Diggs looks to be in line for another Pro Bowl appearance with 78 receptions for 972 yards and seven touchdowns. Emmanuel Sanders and Cole Beasley both have over 600 receiving yards, while tight end Dawson Knox is a red zone threat with eight touchdown receptions. Sanders is doubtful to play this week though.

The Bills are averaging 4.8 YPC, but they have not done a great job of running the ball lately. Matt Breida was brought in to better complement Devin Singletary over the ineffective Zack Moss, yet Buffalo didn’t have a single running back carry in the first half against Tampa Bay last week.

Buffalo ranks first in total defense (288.9 YPG) and first in scoring defense (17.6 PPG). The Bills have done a tremendous job against the pass without Tre’Davious White, as safeties Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde are the best safety tandem in the league.


Carolina has covered the spread in eight of its last nine road games when playing as the underdog. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Carolina Panthers

  • Record: 5-8
  • Division Standing: 4th - NFC South
  • Points Scored: 257
  • Points Allowed: 282
  • PS/G: 19.8 (24th)
  • PA/G: 21.7 (8th)

Inside the Stats - Buffalo Bills

  • Record: 7-6
  • Division Standing: 2nd - AFC East
  • Points Scored: 363
  • Points Allowed: 229
  • PS/G: 27.9 (6th)
  • PA/G: 17.6 (3rd)

Key Players to Watch

  • CAR: Chuba Hubbard - RB (132 carries, 460 yards, 4 TD)
  • CAR: Robby Anderson - WR (36 catches, 372 yards, 4 TD)
  • BUF: Josh Allen - QB (325/494, 3,524 yards, 28 TD, 11 INT)
  • BUF: Stefon Diggs - WR (78 catches, 972 yards, 7 TD)

Carolina Panthers vs. Buffalo Bills Betting Conclusion

There will be more points than the experts think in this game. Buffalo can move the ball on Carolina, and the Panthers will be able to keep it within the number after the Bills take their foot off the gas pedal.

Carolina Panthers vs. Buffalo Bills Betting Trends

  • Carolina has covered the spread in eight of its last nine road games when playing as the underdog.
  • Carolina has lost eight of its last 10 games.
  • Buffalo has gone OVER the point total in six of its last seven games when facing the NFC.
  • Buffalo has covered the spread in two straight games when facing Carolina.

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