We have a divisional clash this Sunday with the Carolina Panthers visiting the New Orleans Saints. Both of these teams come into Week 1 looking to get off to a good start in the NFC South, but with plenty of question marks and doubters.
Find out why my Panthers vs. Saints predictions and NFL picks believe the Saints will take a step toward silencing the critics on Sunday, September 8.
Panthers vs Saints prediction
My best bet
Saints -4 (-110 at BetMGM)
My analysis
This NFC South clash is a tale of two coaches with both Carolina Panthers’ head coach Dave Canales and New Orleans Saints’ head coach Dennis Allen desperate to win this one.
For Canales, it would be a strong start to his reign as HC and a win would mean the Panthers have already reached 50% of the wins they saw through the entire 2023 season. Meanwhile, Allen will be looking to see improvements this year, with a 9-8 finish last time out not being quite enough to get the Saints to the playoffs. If his team doesn’t start well, then he might find himself on the hotseat quickly.
There’s reason for optimism in both camps, but for the Panthers it all revolves around Bryce Young. It’s fair to say that Young was a disappointment in his rookie season, but in his defense, he had one of the league’s worst offensive lines in front of him and they simply couldn’t protect him.
The Panthers have gone out and given Young tools this year. They’ve drafted him a new running back, although Jonathon Brooks is on the PUP lists and will miss this game, and they’ve also hugely upgraded his receiving corps. Adam Thielen will be joined by free agent signing Diontae Johnson, who should give Young a real possession guy, while first-round rookie Xavier Legette is another boost out wide.
The Saints were poor at times last year and were fortunate to play in the worst division in football, but amid the gloom there are positives.
Derek Carr got a lot of heat for his performances after arriving from the Raiders and only had three multiple-TD pass games before the Week 11 bye, scoring 10 TDs in 10 games. However, in the seven games post-bye he had five games of two or more touchdowns and made a total of 15 touchdown passes. There was significant improvement and the hope will be that he can make another leap again.
This Panthers offense ranked 31st in DVOA last year and despite a change of staff and some new players, it’s going to be tough to flip that overnight, especially with the offensive line still being an issue.
The Saints, despite their troubles, were still middle-of-the-pack in terms of defense and should be able to get enough pressure on Young to cause him and the Panthers problems on Sunday. Expect New Orleans to cover the spread and kick off the season strong.
Panthers vs Saints same-game parlay
Saints -3.5
Bryce Young Under 199.5 passing yards
Chris Olave Over 69.5 receiving yards
Young failed to hit his passing yards mark in 11 games last season and we’re yet to see enough evidence of huge improvement in the offensive line to protect him. He needs to be more efficient and improve, but at the same time it’s incredibly difficult when he’s getting pressured on nearly every snap.
I’m also going to back Chris Olave to hit Over 69.5 receiving yards. He hit that mark in eight of 16 games last year but against a Panthers defense who ranked 25th in DVOA last season, and with a QB who did improve down the stretch, he should be able to cover it. With Alvin Kamara in decline, it means the Saints will need to lean into the passing game more.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Panthers vs Saints odds
Panthers vs Saints live odds
Panthers vs Saints opening odds
- Spread: Carolina +4 | New Orleans -4
- Moneyline: Carolina +166 | New Orleans -200
- Over/Under: Over 41.5 | Under 41.5
Odds courtesy of BetMGM
Panthers vs Saints spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Saints covered the spread in four of their final five games of last season.
- The Under has landed in each of the previous six games between these two teams.
- The Under also cashed in four of the Panthers' final five games of last season.
Panthers vs Saints betting trend to know
The Saints have hit the second half moneyline in 10 of their past 13 games. Find more NFL betting trends for Panthers vs. Saints.
Panthers vs Saints game info
| Location: | Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA |
| Date: | Sunday, 9-8-2024 |
| Kickoff: | 1:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | FOX |
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