Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints Predictions, Odds, Picks

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

5 minute read

Jan. 2, 2022

Joe Hedrick
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

The Carolina Panthers (5-10) will be on the road this week to meet their division rival, the New Orleans Saints (7-8). Kickoff is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana and can be viewed on FOX.

Score Prediction

Saints 17, Panthers 14

Best Bets

Panthers +6.5 (-110) at DraftKings

Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints Predictions

The Carolina Panthers are on a five-game losing streak after getting crushed by the Buccaneers 32-6 last weekend. QB Sam Darnold will get the start this week over Cam Newton who was 0-5 as a starter this year. Darnold has struggled on the year throwing 11 interceptions in his nine starts. Positive news for Panthers fans is that Darnold had a season high 305 passing yards, 2 TD, and one interception in the first meeting between the teams in week two.

The New Orleans Saints snapped a two-game winning streak after losing to the Dolphins last week, 20-3. QB Taysom Hill will return to the starting lineup after missing last week's game due to COVID. The Saints have a 33% chance of making the playoffs so they will need to win their last two games if they hope to continue their season.

While I do like the Saints to win this game, I’m not comfortable laying points with them. The reason being, the offense has struggled the past two weeks, scoring just 12 total points over that time. The Panthers have by no means been great but I think they are able to hang in there enough to cover. Backing the Panthers and the points.

Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints Betting Odds

More Odds | Futures Odds

Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints Betting Resources

Matchup: NFC South
Date: Sunday, January 2, 2022
Venue: Caesars Superdome
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
TV-Time: FOX - 4:25 p.m. ET

Carolina Panthers Betting Analysis

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

SU: 5-10
ATS: 5-10
O/U: 7-8
ATS - Away: 3-4

Carolina is 0-5 SU and ATS in their last five games. The Panthers are 4-1 ATS in their last five road games against New Orleans. The total has gone over in four of Carolina’s last six road games. The total has also gone over in five of the last five games Carolina has played on the road against New Orleans.

After starting the season 3-0, the Panthers offense has fallen apart. Coming into this game they are averaging 305.7 total YPG (28th), 196.1 passing YPG (29th), 109.6 rushing YPG (19th), and 18.5 PPG (26th). The offense scored only six points against the Buccaneers last week and will need to be better this week. The Saints have not been scoring the ball lately, so if Carolina is able to put some points up on the board who knows what will happen.

The Panthers defense needs improvement but has done a decent job on the season. To this point they have allowed 300.8 total YPG (2nd), 182.3 passing YPG (2nd), 118.5 rushing YPG (21st), and 23 PPG (19th). Carolina will need to do a better job defending the run, which will likely be the gameplan for the Saints in this matchup.

New Orleans Saints Betting Analysis

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

SU: 7-8
ATS: 7-8
O/U: 6-9
ATS - Home: 2-5

New Orleans is 1-5 SU and ATS in their last six home games. The Saints are 4-1 SU in their last five home games against Carolina, but is just 1-4 ATS during that same span. The total has gone under in the last five games for the Saints, but has gone over in the last five games when playing at home against Carolina.

The Saints offense has really struggled the past two weeks and actually ranks among the bottom of the NFL. New Orleans is averaging 301.9 total YPG (31st), 187 passing YPG (31st), 114.9 rushing YPG (15th), and 21.1 PPG (17th). The Saints are at their best when they find ways to get RB Alvin Kamara involved, whether it be through the passing or running game. Kamara is the key to the New Orleans offense and that will be no different in this game.

The Saint's defense has been very good as of late, allowing just 29 combined points the last three games. On the season they are allowing 331.7 total YPG (12th), 235.7 passing YPG (17th), 95.9 rushing YPG (5th), and 20.3 PPG (4th). With the offense not finding ways to score, the Saints defense is crucial in keeping their playoff hopes alive.

New Orleans has failed to cover the spread in five of its last seven home games. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Carolina Panthers

Record: 5-10
Division Standing: 4th - NFC South
Points Scored: 277
Points Allowed: 345
PS/G: 18.5 (26th)
PA/G: 23 (19th)

Inside the Stats - New Orleans Saints

Record: 7-8
Division Standing: 2nd - NFC South
Points Scored: 316
Points Allowed: 3-5
PS/G: 21.1 (17th)
PA/G: 20.3 (4th)

Key Players to Watch

CAR: Sam Darnold - QB (197/338, 2,176 yards, 7 TD, 11 INT)
CAR: Robby Anderson - WR (44 catches, 459 yards, 4 TD)
NOR: Taysom Hill - QB (54/97, 649 yards, 7 Total TDs, 5 INT)
NOR: Alvin Kamara - RB (197 carries, 720 yards, 4 TD)

Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints Betting Conclusion

The first meeting between these two teams was in week two, a game Carolina won 26-7. A lot has happened and changed for both teams since then. The results should be quite different in this matchup. We should see a low scoring game with the total set at 38. I like the Saints to win this one at home but not by enough to cover. Taking the Panthers and the points.

Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints Betting Trends

New Orleans has failed to cover the spread in five of its last seven home games.
New Orleans has lost three straight home games when playing as the favorite.
Carolina has covered the spread in eight of its last 10 road games when playing as the underdog.

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