New Orleans vs. Carolina Odds & Picks

New Orleans Saints (11-4 SU, 8-7 ATS) vs. Carolina Panthers (5-10, 9-6), 1/3/21

Time: 4:25 pm ET Sunday, Jan. 3

Where: Bank of American Stadium

TV: Fox

Point spread: NO -6.5/Car +6.5 (SportsBetting.ag – One of the players favorite websites!)

Money line: NO -295/Car +240

Over/Under: 47.5

The New Orleans Saints are already division champions and still have a shot at the No. 1 seed in the upcoming NFC playoffs, heading into their regular-season finale with the rival Panthers Sunday afternoon in Charlotte. But Carolina knows how to play spoiler, after beating playoff hopeful Washington last week. Most of the early betting action, understandably, is coming down on the Saints. How are we playing this game with our free NFL pick?

NFL Betting Odds

Week 17 NFL betting odds opened New Orleans at -4.5 over Carolina, with an over/under of 51. Early betting action then bumped the Saints two points, to -6.5, and dropped that total 3.5 points, to 47.5.

New Orleans Betting Preview

The Saints just snapped a two-game losing skid with a 52-33 win over Minnesota last week. New Orleans led 7-0 three minutes into the game and 24-14 at the half, allowed the Vikings to get within 31-27 late in the third quarter but pulled away from there for the victory and the cover at -6.5.

The Saints piled up 583 yards of total offense, including 264 on the ground, dominated time of possession by a 37:23 split and never punted.

Two weeks ago New Orleans produced only 285 yards of offense in a 32-29 loss to Kansas City, and three weeks ago it produced 358 yards, 20 below its season average, in a 24-21 loss to Philadelphia.

But prior to that the Saints won nine games in a row.

At 11-4 overall New Orleans sits at No. 2 in the NFC playoff standings. The Saints can climb into the No. 1 spot with a win Sunday, a Seattle victory over the Rams and a Green Bay loss to Chicago. To keep things as interesting as possible the NFL has flexed the Seahawks and Packers into playing at the same time as New Orleans Sunday.

More Picks: Steelers vs. Browns Pick ATS >>>

Carolina Betting Preview

Carolina, meanwhile, is playing out the string on its first season under Coach Rhule, one that hasn’t been altogether unsuccessful. The Panthers also just successfully played spoiler last week, beating Washington 20-13. Carolina, which was actually favored by a point on the road, used a special teams score to take a 20-0 second-quarter lead and didn’t allow the Football Team to get back within one score until less than two minutes remained.

The Panthers actually got out-gained by Washington 386-280 but about three-quarters of the yardage the Carolina defense gave up came in prevent mode, after taking that three-score lead.

The Panthers have now out-gained four of their last seven opponents and out-rushed six of their last eight foes. They’re also 4-1 ATS their last five times out.

Two weeks ago Carolina lost at Green Bay 24-16 but covered at +9.5. Three weeks ago the Panthers lost to Denver 32-27. And four weeks ago they lost to Minnesota 28-27 but covered at +3.

In fact, of Carolina’s 10 losses this season eight have come by one score.

At 5-10 overall the Panthers are playing this game for pride, and we expect a good showing.

Saints-Panthers Recent History

New Orleans is 7-1 SU over the last eight meetings in this rivalry but Carolina is 5-1 ATS over the last six meetings, keeping most games close as the underdog on the betting line. Back in October the Saints won the first meeting between these teams this season 27-24 but the Panthers covered as seven-point dogs.

New Orleans basically dominated play that day but committed the only turnover of the game, which created a -10 points differential for the Saints.

Also, that game played over a total of 49.5.

NFL Betting Trends

• Home teams are 120-119 SU, 116-122 ATS in the NFL this season.
• Favorites are 157-81 SU, 104-133 ATS in the NFL this season.
• Home dogs are 52-42 ATS in the NFL this season.

Totals Report

Overs are 10-5 in Saints games this season, which are averaging 52 total points.

Unders are 8-7 in Panthers games this season, which are averaging 48 points.

Overs are 118-117 in the NFL this season.

Free NFL Pick

New Orleans is the better team here and would love to claim the No. 1 seed, so they will probably win this game. But Carolina is a tough divisional rival, making progress under Coach Rhule, keeping games close, harboring hopes of an upset. And what if the Saints look at the NFL scoreboard in the third quarter and see the Packers beating the Bears by 20 points? Might they pull people? Four of the last six meetings between these teams have been decided by five points or less and we expect something similar Sunday. We’ll take the Panthers and the points here. Note: If you’re not enjoying the benefits of betting at reduced juice, you’re wasting a ton of money! Most people think the difference of -105 and -110 isn’t much, but it’s actually a ton! A small bettor will save hundreds of dollars per year and a larger better will save thousands! What’s not to like about that? Click here to start betting at -105 today!