Panthers vs. Cardinals Point Spread: NFL Week 2 Odds, Prediction
Both QBs are coming off pedestrian season-openers, with Bryce Young’s Panthers falling 26-10 at Jacksonville in Week 1 and Kyler Murray’s Cardinals escaping with a 20-13 victory at New Orleans. Neither QB threw for over 165 yards in Week 1 as concerns with both teams on offence are already rising.
In Carolina, it’s year three of the Bryce Young era and similar results are unfolding. Young completed just over 50 per cent of his passes in the double-digit loss and he’s now thrown multiple interceptions in each of his season-opening games the past three seasons. Arizona at least got a win last weekend, but outside of two chunk plays they had extreme difficulties putting together consistent drives as the offence showed a lot more of its underachieving ways.
Kickoff at State Farm Stadium in Arizona goes at 4:05 p.m. EDT with the Cardinals a 6.5-point favourite and -300 on the moneyline to win at home. The over-under is at 43.5 on the NFL betting odds.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Carolina and Arizona both saw their totals go under with ease in Week 1. Recent history between these clubs indicates the offences may come alive in Week 2. Six of the last eight Panthers–Cardinals contests have finished over the total, and it’s the Panthers who have led the way with wins in six of their last eight trips to Arizona. Although winning on the road is rare these days for the Panthers, who are 2-16 overall in their last 18 road showings.
Arizona ended last season covering in five of their last six home games. The Cardinals covered as a road favourite last week and are now 4-1 ATS in their last five outings dating back to last season. Arizona is now +100 to make the playoffs, and +400 to win the NFC West (third-longest odds in the division).
Carolina Panthers
Last weekend wasn’t anything to remember for the Panthers offence, that is unless you’re debating whether to back them on the road again. Carolina’s offence generated just 255 total yards, 10 points, and three turnovers in Week 1. Bryce Young was able to deliver five passes to 2025 first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan, who finished with a game-high 68 receiving yards. The issue is McMillan was the only Panthers receiver who finished with more than 11 yards. Canadian running back Chuba Hubbard was again Carolina’s best player on offence, collecting 89 yards and a touchdown. Expect Hubbard to see around 20 touches a game from here on out.
On the injury front, the Panthers were without defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton (hamstring) in practice on Wednesday and head coach Dave Canales expects Wharton to miss several weeks. Left tackle Ikem Ekwonu (illness), outside linebacker Patrick Jones II (ankle), and wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (ribs) were listed as limited. Ekwonu missed last week due to an appendectomy and his status for Week 2 is currently undetermined.
Arizona Cardinals
A season ago the Cardinals finished 8-9, lacking something that would get them over the edge an into playoff territory. Their off-season was full of defensive additions, and the unit overall played well in Week 1… albeit against the lowly New Orleans Saints. The best news on the defensive side of the ball is that 47th overall pick Will Johnson is showing the makings of an absolute draft steal. The Michigan cornerback was once considered a top-five pick, but injury woes dropped him into day two of the draft. Johnson posted a 90.2 coverage grade (2nd-highest per PFF) and added three pass breakups in his NFL debut, and also had an interception that got negated by a penalty.
Offensively, it’s a bit of the same old in Arizona. Marvin Harrison Jr. had a nice season-opener with five grabs for 71 yards and a score. Trey McBride had 61 receiving yards, and then no other Cardinals player finished with over 10 receiving yards. One potential x-factor to watch out for is second-year running back Trey Benson, who broke off a 52-yard run last week.
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