Panthers vs. Packers Point Spread: NFL Week 15 Odds, Prediction
The second game of the NFL doubleheader on Saturday (yes, Saturday) in Week 15 features the Carolina Panthers visiting the Green Bay Packers, who opened as 9-point favourites on the NFL odds with a total of 51.
NFL Week 15 Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Just like the first game on Saturday – Buffalo at Denver – this one features a team playing out the string against one striving for the highest seed possible in the playoffs.
Green Bay, which has clinched the NFC North, controls its destiny as the top seed in the NFC because the Pack hold a head-to-head tiebreaker over New Orleans. This might be the last, best chance for the all-time great Aaron Rodgers to win a second Super Bowl.
This was always to be a rebuilding season for Carolina under first-year coach Matt Rhule, and he has shown to be a good hire despite a not-great record. There are a lot of holes to plug on this roster, and Rhule has only had All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey for three games due to various injuries. At this point, it might be wise to simply shut McCaffrey down in this very unusual season.
Five of the last six matchups in this series have been decided by eight points or less, including a 24-16 victory by Green Bay last season at Lambeau Field. McCaffrey was stopped just short of the goal line as time expired, although the Panthers would have had to also convert a two-point try to force overtime. While Rodgers had a relatively quiet game, Aaron Jones rushed for three touchdowns.
The teams have split the past 10 against the spread.
Carolina Panthers
Early last week, Rhule said he expected McCaffrey to play in just his fourth game of the season, but McCaffrey had a setback in practice and didn’t suit up for a 32-27 home loss to Denver – it was Carolina’s seventh loss in the past eight games, and that defence is not good. That unit made inconsistent young Broncos QB Drew Lock look like Joe Montana.
Mike Davis ran for two scores as the featured back again with McCaffrey out, and QB Teddy Bridgewater also rushed for a touchdown. His top wideout, DJ Moore, missed the game on the reserve/COVID-19 list but should be back for this one. Carolina is 5-0 ATS in its past five road games.
Green Bay Packers
Sunday was great day for the Packers as not only did they win 31-24 in Detroit to clinch another division title but the Saints were upset in Philadelphia, which put Green Bay into the top spot in the NFC. Rodgers has played in four NFC Championship Games but none of them has been at home. Rodgers burnished his MVP candidacy with three more TD passes and no turnovers while also rushing for a score. It was his 26th career game with both a passing and rushing touchdown — the third-most by a player in NFL history after Cam Newton (42) and Steve Young (31).
Red-hot wideout Davante Adams caught seven balls for 115 yards and a score – his eighth straight game with a receiving TD. That’s a franchise record. Green Bay is 7-3 ATS in its past 10 vs. the NFC.
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