Panthers vs. Saints Point Spread: NFL Week 18 Odds, Prediction
The Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints finish the regular season with a divisional matchup in the Big Easy Sunday afternoon. Both clubs were eliminated last weekend as the Panthers fell to division-champion Tampa Bay 30-24, while New Orleans has current three-game win streak has come too little too late.
The Saints earned a 20-10 road win at top seed Philadelphia last Sunday, the fifth straight game New Orleans has allowed under 18 points. Carolina’s managed to put up at least 23 points in three of their last four outings, making Sunday’s contest against New Orleans’ defence a solid test.
Kickoff at Caesars Superdome gets underway at 1 p.m. EST, with the Saints 3.5-point favourites on home field and the total at 41.5 on the NFL odds.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Part of the reason for Carolina missing out on the post-season was their inability to win on the road, as last weekend was their sixth road loss in seven games. It’s a trend that dates back to last season too, as the Panthers are 1-10 in their last 11 away games. Carolina hasn’t played great against New Orleans either, losing nine of their last 12 against the Saints. They did get a 22-14 victory in Week 3 against New Orleans, a game quarterbacked by Baker Mayfield for the Panthers (waived) and Jameis Winston for the Saints (demoted).
The over has connected in eight of the last nine Panthers–Saints contests played in New Orleans, and four of Carolina’s last five overall too so maybe it’s time the Saints bust it open.
Carolina Panthers
Sam Darnold passed for the first 300-yard passing game by a Panthers quarterback since last season, and the 2018 third-overall pick has had a quietly strong year. In five games Darnold has seven touchdown passes to go with one interception while averaging 220 passing yards per outing, and has an additional two rushing scores. Carolina’s also 3-2 in Darnold’s starts.
Darnold’s found a connection with top receiver D.J. Moore, who led the Panthers with six grabs for 117 yards and a touchdown last week. Moore has the potential to reach 1,000 yards receiving as he’s 122 short. Starting running back D’Onta Foreman is 154 yards back of 1,000 rushing yards, so whether Carolina leans into the run or pass there are milestones to watch.
New Orleans Saints
Last Sunday was one of New Orleans’ best defensive performances of the season, containing a top-three offence to 10 points. It was against a backup quarterback albeit, but still a dominant day in which the Saints registered seven sacks and held the ball for 37 minutes. They also got a defensive score via a Marshon Lattimore pick-six in the final quarter, who returned to game action for the first time in nearly two months.
Gadget quarterback Taysom Hill rushed in a score for the second straight week and now has contributed 11 touchdowns this season via pass, rush, and receiving. Hill along with Alvin Kamara in the backfield have been running strong as of late, as Kamara’s reached at least 70 yards in the past three games while the Saints as a team are rushing for just under 140 yards.
CAR
NO