Carolina Panthers vs. Arizona Cardinals Pick 9/22/19

Carolina Panthers (0-2 SU, 0-2 ATS) vs. Arizona Cardinals (0-1-1 SU, 2-0 ATS)
NFL Football Week 3
Date/Time: Sunday – September 22nd – 4:05 EST
Where: State Farm Stadium – Glendale, Arizona
TV: FOX

Point Spread: CAR -3/ARI +3 (BetAnySports)
Over/Under Total: 46.5

CAROLINA PANTHERS AND ARIZONA CARDINALS PREVIEW:

This Sunday in Glendale, Arizona, we have an NFC matchup of two teams that are both looking for their first win of 2019. The Carolina Panthers who sit at 0-2 will travel west to take on the Arizona Cardinals who are 0-1-1 on the 2019 season after a tie with Detroit in week one and a narrow loss to the Ravens in week two. Although both teams are winless, it does appear they are headed in opposite directions. The Panthers came into 2019 with high hopes while the Arizona Cardinals knew they were a work in progress. Well, after two weeks, my opinion is that the Cardinals are the team in better shape when you look at all personnel involved. The Panthers opened as a three-point favorite on the road, but that could change with the health and status of Cam Newton which is still unknown.

HOW THE PUBLIC IS BETTING CAROLINA AND ARIZONA:

The public is pretty even on this game. With Arizona as a three-point home underdog, 54% likes the Cardinals to cover at home while 46% is taking Carolina. Of course, many question marks are surrounding the heath of Cam Newton in this game, and I am wondering at some point if this game will be removed from the boards and recapped. If you like the Cardinals as I do, bet them NOW! I typically say to put your bet in late to confirm weather, etc., but in this case, the later we go, the less it will benefit those who like Arizona plus the points.

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WHY THE CARDINALS WILL COVER AGAINST THE CAROLINA PANTHERS:

In my opinion, this Carolina Panthers team is just not good. Cam Newton looks like he has been in the league for 20 years, the defense is underperforming, and the coaching staff is just stale. If something does not change soon, I see Ron Rivera being fired midseason and a coaching change take place. In the Panthers 0-2 start, they have just looked lethargic. Cam Newton has now gone four straight games without throwing a touchdown pass, and he is one game away from tying Tennessee Titans QB, Steve McNair for being the only two QBs to go five games without a touchdown pass when attempting at least ten passes…not good.

As for the Cardinals, no they have not yet won a game, but they are not looking too bad. Rookie sensation, Kyler Murray, has been the real deal or at least appears that he WILL be the real deal. In two games, Murray has passed for 657 (300+ yards in both his two career starts) with two touchdowns and one pick. Arizona is also averaging 27 points per game on offense while averaging over 350 yards per contest.

So here is the deal this Sunday with this game, I don’t care if Cam Newton plays or not, I like Arizona A LOT regardless of whether its Newton or back up quarterback, Kyle Allen. Many of the Panthers faithful feel it is better to let Will Grier get reps in game action, but I doubt we see that, but who knows. Some numbers to support my pick of Arizona are here as well: Carolina is 2-8 ATS in their last ten games. Carolina is 1-9 straight up in those ten games. The Cardinals have covered the spread in four of their last five games played in September. Take Arizona, trust me.

Bob’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: TAKE THE ARIZONA CARDINALS PLUS THE POINTS AGAINST THE CAROLINA PANTHERS ON SUNDAY IN ARIZONA!