Sunday, October 25, 2020, Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1 p.m. ET
Panthers at Saints Betting Preview: Panthers (+7.5/-110), Saints (-7.5/-110)
Carolina Panthers
After three consecutive wins lifted them into contention in the NFC South, the Panthers missed a good opportunity to make it four straight last week. A 23-16 home loss to Chicago was frustrating because they appeared the more dangerous team throughout, but missed too many golden chances.
Still, Carolina has been a pleasant surprise under first-year coach Matt Rhule. Teddy Bridgewater has played good football, even with do-everything running back Christian McCaffrey on the shelf with a high ankle sprain. Freed from the miasma that is Jets football, Robby Anderson’s on pace for a 100-catch year.
The defense has also made good strides under Rhule, ranking seventh against the pass and 10th in total yardage. One worry is that the rush defense is just 21st, a stat that Saints star Alvin Kamara may find to his liking.
New Orleans Saints
Fresh off a bye week after a come-from-behind win in Week 5 against the Los Angeles Chargers, this looks like a good spot for the Saints. But one discomforting note is that wide receiver Michael Thomas, who missed the first five games with an ankle injury, appeared on Wednesday’s injury report with a hamstring issue.
Still, New Orleans has mostly gotten healthier, particularly on defense. Cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) and Janoris Jenkins (shoulder) were full participants in practice, suggesting they should be ready to go after battling injuries in the season’s early going.
History is on the Saints’ side this week as well. This is normally the time of year when they start to find a rhythm behind Drew Brees and a short passing game. Brees hasn’t been as sharp to start this season, so perhaps the week off might enable him to get going.
Panthers at Saints Betting Pick for Week 7
Both defenses are better than one might think, ranking in the top 10 in total yards permitted per game. But this feels like a potential shootout between Brees and the guy who ably backed him up last year, setting him up for a big payday and a starting role in Carolina.
Bridgewater will make plays and have the Panthers in contention in the fourth quarter. But look for Brees, with some help from Kamara gashing a run defense that hasn’t been great this year, to have a couple of more bullets to fire at the end.
Panthers at Saints Betting Pick:
Saints 34, Panthers 27.
Panthers at Saints Best Bet for Week 7
In the Panthers’ last seven trips to the Superdome, the point spread has gone over. In the Saints’ last five home games, the number has fallen on the over side. If you’re looking for the way to go on this one, hammer the over and thank us later.
What’s more, lay some bucks down on the over in the first quarter. With balanced attacks like these on hand, it wouldn’t be shocking to see both teams charge out of the gate.
Panthers at Saints Best Bet: OVER 10 total points in the first quarter (-250)
