The Rams are coming off a great season, followed up by a startlingly bad 13-3 loss at the Super Bowl. Carolina started 2018 strong, but spiraled in the second half of the season. They face each other this Sunday for Week 1.
All eyes will be on Cam Newton and his shoulder as he faces a Los Angeles team that averaged more than 30 points per game last year as they rolled to the NFC championship.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Carolina Panthers fans had a lot to get excited about as the 2018 NFL season got underway, as Ron Rivera and his team looked playoff-bound with a strong 6-2 start through the first eight games. Then, tragedy struck Cam Newton’s shoulder, and the team went off the rails.
Los Angeles Rams at Carolina Panthers
- Los Angeles Rams -110 -1
- Carolina Panthers -110 +1
The Rams are road favorites for Week 1 of the new season and are 4-1 against the spread in their last 5 games. The Carolina Panthers are 2-6 against the spread in their last eight overall. The Rams are -200 favorites to claim the NFC West again this year.
2019-20 NFC West
- Seattle -152
- San Francisco +110
Los Angeles Rams
Are the Rams going to be in revenge mode after that stunning loss to the Patriots in the Super Bowl? We’ll get a look at their lineup this Sunday when they take on Carolina for Week 1. The Rams have their 53-man roster set now, and they said goodbye to tackle Johnathan Franklin-Myers, receiver KhaDarel Hodge and backup quarterback Brian Allen.
Head Coach Sean McVay has a knack for developing younger players, and he’s brought linebacker Natrez Patrick and receiver Nsimba Webster onto the roster after they both looked great during the preseason.
Quarterback Jared Goff just got a huge contract and will need to prove his value once again this year. Goff agreed to a four-year contract extension with the Rams, keeping the franchise quarterback with the team through 2024. The team didn’t disclose the terms of its deal with Goff, but the NFL Network reported that the deal is worth $134 million, with a league-record guarantee of $110 million.
Goff has some excellent targets with the receiver trio of Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp at the ready. Todd Gurley will be returning to the lineup after being out with a knee injury through the end of last year.
Carolina Panthers
As if his shoulder wasn’t enough of a concern, Panthers quarterback Cam Newton had to leave the third preseason game with an injury to his ankle. If Newton can’t stay healthy this year, his team will be in trouble. The quarterback backup bench has Kyle Allen, in his second season in the league, and rookie quarterback Will Grier, whom Carolina selected with the 100th pick in the 2019 draft.
Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey could have another huge year. His 1,098 rushing yards and seven touchdowns aside, McCaffrey also set the record for single-season receptions for RBs with 107.
The Panthers brought in veteran DE Bruce Irvin, but he’s been dealing with a hamstring injury for a week and has missed a couple of practices. If he can get healthy for Sunday, he’ll be a huge key to the Panthers defence.
Who Will Win Rams vs. Panthers?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 29 Jul 4:27pm | LAR | -3 -109 | O +51 -110 |
| Closing 8 Sep 5:08pm | LAR | -1.5 -110 | O +49.5 -107 |
Weather
| temp | 87 |
| condition | sunny |
| wind | Northeast 3mph |
Injuries
Michael Brockers (DL)
Nsimba Webster (WR)
Eric Weddle (S)
Andrew Whitworth (T)
Darrell Henderson (RB)
Jared Goff (QB)
Greg Zuerlein (K)
Troy Hill (CB)
Nsimba Webster (WR)
Jojo Natson (WR)
Will Grier (QB)
Andre Smith (LB)
Brian Burns (LB)
Kyle Love (DT)
Ian Thomas (TE)
Tre Boston (S)
Greg Olsen (TE)
DJ Moore (WR)
Woodrow Hamilton (DT)
Mario Addison (LB)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Brockers (DL) | Doub Sun | Knee - 25 / 12 / 19 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Brockers has a knee injury, and it is unlikely that he will play against the Cardinals on Sunday. |
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| Nsimba Webster (WR) | Prob Sun | Concussion - 25 / 12 / 19 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Webster is dealing with concussion-like symptoms, but it is expected that he will be cleared in time to face the Cardinals on Sunday. |
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| Eric Weddle (S) | Ques Sun | Groin - 25 / 12 / 19 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Weddle has a groin injury, and it is unknown if it will affect his status for Sunday's clash with the Cardinals. |
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| Andrew Whitworth (T) | Doub Sun | Quadricep - 25 / 12 / 19 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Whitworth is managing a quadriceps injury, and he is not expected to suit up against the Cardinals on Sunday. |
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| Darrell Henderson (RB) | I-R | Ankle - 22 / 12 / 19 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Henderson is on injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain. |
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| Jared Goff (QB) | Prob Sat | Thumb - 16 / 12 / 19 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Goff is expected to suit up against the 49ers on Saturday despite a thumb contusion. |
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| Greg Zuerlein (K) | p | Quadricep - 16 / 12 / 19 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Zuerlein has a right quadriceps strain, but he is expected to suit up for Saturday's matchup against the 49ers. |
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| Troy Hill (CB) | Out Sun | Thumb - 15 / 12 / 19 | 2-1 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Hill missed the previous game with a broken thumb, and he will not be available to play the Cardinals on Sunday. |
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| Nsimba Webster (WR) | Prob Sun | Hip - 11 / 12 / 19 | 2-1 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Webster has a hip injury, but he is expected to suit up Sunday against the Cowboys. |
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| Jojo Natson (WR) | I-R | Hamstring - 02 / 12 / 19 | 3-1 | 2-2 | + - |
|
Natson has wound up on the injured reserve list with a hamstring injury. |
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| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Will Grier (QB) | day-to-day | Leg - 29 / 12 / 19 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Grier exited Sunday's game with a lower-leg injury, and he is not expected to return. |
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| Andre Smith (LB) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 27 / 12 / 19 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Smith is tending to an ankle injury but is expected to suit up for Sunday's matchup against the Saints. |
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| Brian Burns (LB) | Prob Sun | Shoulder - 26 / 12 / 19 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Burns is dealing with an injured shoulder, but will likely be available to face the Saints on Sunday. |
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| Kyle Love (DT) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 26 / 12 / 19 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Love is nursing an injured ankle, but he will likely be in the lineup against the Saints on Sunday. |
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| Ian Thomas (TE) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 26 / 12 / 19 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Thomas is dealing with an ankle injury, but it is not expected to impede his status for Sunday's clash against the Saints. |
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| Tre Boston (S) | Ques Sun | Shoulder - 26 / 12 / 19 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Boston has a shoulder injury, and it is undetermined if it will affect his availability versus the Saints on Sunday. |
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| Greg Olsen (TE) | Prob Sun | Knee - 25 / 12 / 19 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Olsen is dealing with a knee issue, but it projected that he will play against the Saints on Sunday. |
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| DJ Moore (WR) | Out Sun | Concussion - 22 / 12 / 19 | 0-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Moore has been entered into the league's concussion protocol, and he will not be cleared in time for Sunday's game against the Saints. |
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| Woodrow Hamilton (DT) | Out Sun | Illness - 21 / 12 / 19 | 0-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Hamilton missed the last game due to an illness, and he will not be healthy enough to face the Saints on Sunday. |
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| Mario Addison (LB) | Prob Sun | Shoulder - 19 / 12 / 19 | 0-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Addison has a shoulder injury, but it is expected that he will play against the Colts on Sunday. |
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-
LOS ANGELES RAMS
35 -
CAROLINA PANTHERS
24
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 29 Jul 4:27pm LAR -3 -109 O +51 -110 Closing 8 Sep 5:08pm LAR -1.5 -110 O +49.5 -107 -
Weather
temp 87 condition sunny wind Northeast 3mph -
Injuries
Michael Brockers (DL)
Doub Sun Knee - 25 / 12 / 19Nsimba Webster (WR)
Prob Sun Concussion - 25 / 12 / 19Eric Weddle (S)
Ques Sun Groin - 25 / 12 / 19Andrew Whitworth (T)
Doub Sun Quadricep - 25 / 12 / 19Darrell Henderson (RB)
I-R Ankle - 22 / 12 / 19Jared Goff (QB)
Prob Sat Thumb - 16 / 12 / 19Greg Zuerlein (K)
p Quadricep - 16 / 12 / 19Troy Hill (CB)
Out Sun Thumb - 15 / 12 / 19Nsimba Webster (WR)
Prob Sun Hip - 11 / 12 / 19Jojo Natson (WR)
I-R Hamstring - 02 / 12 / 19Will Grier (QB)
day-to-day Leg - 29 / 12 / 19Andre Smith (LB)
Prob Sun Ankle - 27 / 12 / 19Brian Burns (LB)
Prob Sun Shoulder - 26 / 12 / 19Kyle Love (DT)
Prob Sun Ankle - 26 / 12 / 19Ian Thomas (TE)
Prob Sun Ankle - 26 / 12 / 19Tre Boston (S)
Ques Sun Shoulder - 26 / 12 / 19Greg Olsen (TE)
Prob Sun Knee - 25 / 12 / 19DJ Moore (WR)
Out Sun Concussion - 22 / 12 / 19Woodrow Hamilton (DT)
Out Sun Illness - 21 / 12 / 19Mario Addison (LB)
Prob Sun Shoulder - 19 / 12 / 19Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Michael Brockers (DL) Doub Sun Knee - 25 / 12 / 19 1-0 1-0 + - Brockers has a knee injury, and it is unlikely that he will play against the Cardinals on Sunday.
Nsimba Webster (WR) Prob Sun Concussion - 25 / 12 / 19 1-0 1-0 + - Webster is dealing with concussion-like symptoms, but it is expected that he will be cleared in time to face the Cardinals on Sunday.
Eric Weddle (S) Ques Sun Groin - 25 / 12 / 19 1-0 1-0 + - Weddle has a groin injury, and it is unknown if it will affect his status for Sunday's clash with the Cardinals.
Andrew Whitworth (T) Doub Sun Quadricep - 25 / 12 / 19 1-0 1-0 + - Whitworth is managing a quadriceps injury, and he is not expected to suit up against the Cardinals on Sunday.
Darrell Henderson (RB) I-R Ankle - 22 / 12 / 19 1-1 2-0 + - Henderson is on injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain.
Jared Goff (QB) Prob Sat Thumb - 16 / 12 / 19 1-1 2-0 + - Goff is expected to suit up against the 49ers on Saturday despite a thumb contusion.
Greg Zuerlein (K) p Quadricep - 16 / 12 / 19 1-1 2-0 + - Zuerlein has a right quadriceps strain, but he is expected to suit up for Saturday's matchup against the 49ers.
Troy Hill (CB) Out Sun Thumb - 15 / 12 / 19 2-1 2-1 + - Hill missed the previous game with a broken thumb, and he will not be available to play the Cardinals on Sunday.
Nsimba Webster (WR) Prob Sun Hip - 11 / 12 / 19 2-1 2-1 + - Webster has a hip injury, but he is expected to suit up Sunday against the Cowboys.
Jojo Natson (WR) I-R Hamstring - 02 / 12 / 19 3-1 2-2 + - Natson has wound up on the injured reserve list with a hamstring injury.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Will Grier (QB) day-to-day Leg - 29 / 12 / 19 0-1 0-1 + - Grier exited Sunday's game with a lower-leg injury, and he is not expected to return.
Andre Smith (LB) Prob Sun Ankle - 27 / 12 / 19 0-1 0-1 + - Smith is tending to an ankle injury but is expected to suit up for Sunday's matchup against the Saints.
Brian Burns (LB) Prob Sun Shoulder - 26 / 12 / 19 0-1 0-1 + - Burns is dealing with an injured shoulder, but will likely be available to face the Saints on Sunday.
Kyle Love (DT) Prob Sun Ankle - 26 / 12 / 19 0-1 0-1 + - Love is nursing an injured ankle, but he will likely be in the lineup against the Saints on Sunday.
Ian Thomas (TE) Prob Sun Ankle - 26 / 12 / 19 0-1 0-1 + - Thomas is dealing with an ankle injury, but it is not expected to impede his status for Sunday's clash against the Saints.
Tre Boston (S) Ques Sun Shoulder - 26 / 12 / 19 0-1 0-1 + - Boston has a shoulder injury, and it is undetermined if it will affect his availability versus the Saints on Sunday.
Greg Olsen (TE) Prob Sun Knee - 25 / 12 / 19 0-1 0-1 + - Olsen is dealing with a knee issue, but it projected that he will play against the Saints on Sunday.
DJ Moore (WR) Out Sun Concussion - 22 / 12 / 19 0-1 1-1 + - Moore has been entered into the league's concussion protocol, and he will not be cleared in time for Sunday's game against the Saints.
Woodrow Hamilton (DT) Out Sun Illness - 21 / 12 / 19 0-1 1-1 + - Hamilton missed the last game due to an illness, and he will not be healthy enough to face the Saints on Sunday.
Mario Addison (LB) Prob Sun Shoulder - 19 / 12 / 19 0-1 1-1 + - Addison has a shoulder injury, but it is expected that he will play against the Colts on Sunday.