Patriots vs. Panthers Point Spread: NFL Week 9 Odds, Prediction
It’ll be 2019 Defensive Player of the Year Stepon Gilmore’s first appearance against his old club after New England traded him to Carolina earlier this season.
The Panthers have also designated Christian McCaffrey to return from the injured reserve but that doesn’t mean the running back will suit up in Week 9. McCaffrey did practice Wednesday, so his status is one to monitor as the week progresses.
Kickoff at Bank of America Stadium Sunday is set for 1 p.m. EST. The Patriots stand as the favourite to win on the road as they’re laying 3.5 points with the total set at 41 on the NFL odds.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Panthers enjoy playing the AFC East — they’re riding an eight-game winning streak against the division and have covered in four of the five most recent games. Carolina’s also on a 6-1 against the spread run over the Patriots.
Both clubs are an even 4-4 against the spread in 2021 but have had different fates with the total. New England’s got an even split with their over-unders, while Carolina’s 6-2 to the under. The Panthers are a top-five defence when it comes to points against this season, averaging 19.9 a game against. New England’s in the top 10 as well with an average of 20.5 against a game.
New England Patriots
Bill Belichick’s squad earned a key victory in Week 8, going into Los Angeles and defeating the Chargers 27-24. The Patriots rushed for a combined 182 yards as Damien Harris led the way with 80 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries.
More important was New England’s ability to keep the Chargers’ offence in check. The Patriots held Justin Herbert to 223 passing yards on 35 attempts and intercepted him twice, one going back for six in what was a key fourth-quarter takeaway by safety Adrian Phillips. The pick-six was New England’s first defensive score of the season off 13 takeaways thus far.
Carolina Panthers
Carolina also used their ground game to their advantage in Week 8 when they defeated the Atlanta Falcons by a score of 19-13. Chuba Hubbard led all players with 82 rushing yards on 23 attempts and found the end zone once. Quarterback Sam Darnold rushed for 66 yards himself which helped given he only contributed 129 yards through the air.
Hubbard leads the Panthers with 391 rushing yards this season, while Darnold has 176 yards on the ground to go with a 5.2-yard per carry average and five rushing scores. Add McCaffrey to the mix and this Panthers offence could start to find a groove.
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