Panthers vs. Lions Point Spread: NFL Week 5 Odds, Prediction
The Detroit Lions continue to roll following last week’s 34-20 win in Green Bay. Detroit returns home in Week 5 to face one of only two remaining winless teams in the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers’ nightmare season continued at home last week with a 21-13 loss against Minnesota.
The Lions are heavy 10-point favourites in this game, with the total sitting at 44.0 on the NFL odds.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
These teams met on Christmas Eve last season, with Carolina coming out with a 37-23 home win. Sam Darnold, now a backup in San Francisco, led the Panthers with 250 passing yards and a touchdown each in the air and on the ground. Jared Goff was under centre for Detroit, finishing with 355 passing yards and three TDs.
Carolina is 0-4 straight up this season and the closest they have come to covering the spread is a single push in Week 2. Fans could be in for a low scoring game this week as the total has gone Under in four of the Panthers’ last five games as an underdog and against NFC opponents.
The Lions sit at 3-1 straight up and against the spread. Dating back to last year, they are 8-2 both SU and ATS in their last 10 games. It’s worth noting, however, that one of those two defeats was the earlier mentioned loss to Carolina despite being a road favourite.
Carolina Panthers
Rookie quarterback Bryce Young, the first overall pick in the 2023 draft, continues to struggle early in his career. Young finished with 204 passing yards last week against Minnesota and failed to throw a touchdown pass, although he also avoid throwing any interceptions. He was sacked five times in the second half, including twice on the final three plays of the game. It was a return to the field for Young after missing Week 3 with an ankle injury. The rookie is 0-3 as a starter.
There were a few positive takeaways from last week’s effort. Carolina actually led Minnesota 13-6 at the half, picked off Kirk Cousins twice and held Cousins to his lowest passing total of the season, 139 yards. That strong defensive effort will likely be the game plan again this week as the Panthers’ offence is no match for Detroit.
Detroit Lions
This Lions squad officially looks like the team to beat in the NFC North as last week’s win gave them a secure lead in the division. Goff finished with 210 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception, but it was running back David Montgomery who had the biggest impact. Montgomery had a career-high 32 carries for 121 yards and three touchdowns. His five rushing TDs is third-best in the NFL through four games.
Key members on both sides of the ball could miss Sunday’s game. Star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and rookie safety Brian Branch have both missed practice time this week. St. Brown is dealing with an abdomen injury and he will likely be a game-time decision. Branch suffered an ankle injury against Green Bay and his status is unknown. As of midweek, it looks like Brown is more likely to play, while Branch is doubtful.
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