New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers Pick 9/19/21

New Orleans Saints (1-0 SU, 1-0 ATS) vs. Carolina Panthers (1-0 SU, 1-0 ATS)
NFL Football Week 2
Date/Time: Sunday September 19th, 2021. 1:00PM (EST)
Where: Bank of America Stadium Charlotte, N.C.
TV: FOX
by Jay Horne, NFL Football Handicapper, Predictem.com

Point Spread: NO -3/CAR +3
Over/Under Total: 46

Last week, the New Orleans Saints demolished the Green Bay Packers 38-3 in the most lopsided outcome in the opening week of the NFL. No Drew Brees, no problem? Many experts believed the Saints offense could be a potential liability in 2021. While it may be too early to draw any conclusions, the Saints fired on all cylinders against a Packers team that just made an NFC Championship Game appearance in January. The Saints’ defense rattled Aaron Rodger to force several turnovers, and QB Jameis Winston dazzled with five passing touchdowns in a performance that sent shock waves throughout the NFL. Now the Saints will have the opportunity to build on their momentum when they go into Charlotte for an NFC South showdown with the Carolina Panthers.

I am thoroughly surprised the Panthers are just 3 point favorites this week. While New Orleans had a great opening week blowout over Green Bay, I’m not ready to put 100% belief in Jameis Winston. However, I’m not very confident in the Carolina Panthers ceiling this season either. Despite a 19-14 victory over the Jets in week 1, I was not impressed by the Panthers’ performance or the playcalling. The Panthers averaged over 11 yards per carry against the Jets as a team, yet Christian McCaffrey only got nine carries, and QB Sam Darnold aired it out 35 times while still looking like Sam Darnold. To summarize my thoughts around the Panthers offense, there was a new quarterback on the field, but nothing has changed with this offense. Everything still goes through RB Christian McCaffrey, and the Panthers are in trouble in obvious throwing situations. For that reason, I believe the Saints defense will have an advantageous opportunity on Sunday to stymie the Panthers’ attack.

New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers Analysis

One of the primary reasons that I believe the Saints will control this game is because the strength of their defense is along the trenches. Last year, this defense racked up 45 sacks and ranked 4th in run defense allowing just 93 yards per game. In last week’s opener against Green Bay, New Orleans defensive front was relentless in pressuring Rodgers and caused the Hall of Fame quarterback to have one of his worst performances in recent memory. If the Saints can stand strong against Christian McCaffrey and the Panthers run game which they did in both meetings last year, this Saints pass-rush will feast against the inconsistent passing threat of Sam Darnold.

The one risky component to backing the Saints is trusting the offense. By all accounts, the Panthers defense is slightly underrated, and we know QB Jameis Winston has a long history of turnover problems. Despite the marvelous 5-touchdown performance last week, Winston still has to show consistency, and this offense is already without star WR Michael Thomas for the near future. Therefore, New Orleans will continue to put a heavy focus on RB Alvin Kamara and a group of young receivers in Marquez Callaway, Deonte Harris, and others. Simply put, I would not be surprised if you see the Saints struggle at times throughout the year. With that said, I still trust the Saints defense and the playcalling of Head Coach Sean Payton to take down an inferior Panthers’ team this Sunday.

Saints vs. Panthers Betting Trends

• The Panthers are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games
• The Panthers are 2-5 ATS in their previous seven matches at home
• The Panthers are 3-9 SU in their last 12 games
• The Panthers have hit the “under” in five of the last seven games
• The Saints are 9-2-1 ATS in the previous 12 games
• The Saints are 13-3 SU in the last 16 games
• The Saints have hit the “under” in 9 of the last 12 games
• The Saints are 8-1 SU in the previous 9 meetings against the Panthers

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