Panthers vs. Raiders: Week 3 NFL Picks and Predictions

Carolina Panthers (0-2 SU, 0-2 ATS) at Las Vegas Raiders (1-1, 1-1), 9/22/24

When: 4:05 pm ET Sunday, Sept. 22

Where: Allegiant Stadium

TV: CBS

Betting Odds

NFL betting odds: Car +5 / LV -5

Money line: Car +195 / LV -245

Over/Under: 40.5

Game Overview

Coming off a big comeback victory at Baltimore last week, the Raiders get a shot at a 2-1 start to this season when they host 0-2 Carolina Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas.

The Raiders just pulled off an upset of the Ravens, scoring the last 13 points of the game. Meanwhile, the Panthers, in the process of ruining their young quarterback, go to the bench this week for a veteran replacement.

NFL Betting Line

The Week 3 NFL betting market opened Las Vegas at -7 over Carolina, with an O/U of right around 38. Early betting action dipped that spread two points down to -5 and bumped that total to 40.

Panthers Betting Preview

Carolina is 0-2 on the season after losing at home to the Chargers last Sunday 26-3. The Panthers, four-point home dogs, trailed 20-0 at the half, managed only a 3rd-quarter field goal all day, and never threatened to make it a game.

Carolina got out-gained by the Chargers 349-159, out-rushed 219-90, and managed just seven first downs.

On the prop board, QB Bryce Young completed 18 passes but for just 84 yards, which played way under his total of 182.5.

With such pathetic production, the Panthers benched Young for this week and will go with veteran Andy Dalton behind center Sunday.

Carolina opened this season two weeks ago with a 47-10 loss at New Orleans, whiffing ATS at +4.

After winning just two games last season, the Panthers are playing against a wins O/U this season of 4.5. But at this point, the under on that bet looks pretty good.

Las Vegas Raiders Betting Preview

Las Vegas, meanwhile, just picked up its first victory of the season, coming from behind to beat the Ravens in Baltimore last Sunday 26-23. The Raiders trailed 3-0 early, 9-6 at the half, and 23-13 with 12 minutes left. But Las Vegas then drove 64 yards to a field goal, 70 yards to a game-tying touchdown, and 23 yards to a game-winning field goal.

Vegas also cashed in catching +350 on the NFL betting money line.

The Raiders got out-gained by the Ravens 383-260 and out-rushed 151-27. So they should feel damn lucky to have stolen that game.

On the prop board, Las Vegas QB Gardner Minshew, who threw for just 137 yards through three quarters, threw for 139 in the fourth and ended up with 276, which played over his total of 199.5.

The Raiders were one of three Pacific time zone teams to win on the East Coast last week. Seattle won at New England, and the Chargers won at Carolina.

Las Vegas opened this season two weeks ago with a 22-10 loss to the Chargers. The Raiders only managed 296 total yards that day.

After winning eight games last season, Las Vegas is playing against a wins O/U of 6.5 this season. But they’ve got a great chance to get win No. 2 this week.

Injury Report

On the injury front, the Raiders are a little banged up on defense, with three starters, including DE Maxx Crosby, listed as questionable for Sunday. Meanwhile, the Panthers list two starters along both lines as questionable.

Recent Matchups

These teams met most recently four seasons ago, a 34-30 Raiders win in Charlotte. David Carr quarterbacked Vegas that day against Teddy Bridgewater for Carolina.

NFL Betting Trends

• Home teams are 16-15 SU, 13-17 ATS in the NFL this season.
• Favorites are 21-11 SU, 14-17 ATS this season.
• Carolina is 0-10 SU, 1-8-1 ATS over its last 10 road games.
• Dalton is 83-78 as an NFL starter.
• Minshew is 16-23 as an NFL starter.

Totals Report

• Unders are 17-14 in the NFL this season.
• Unders played 11-5-1 in Panthers games last season.
• Unders played 11-6 in Raiders games last season.

Prop Bets

Carolina WR Diontae Johnson, who leads the team in targets with 12, is catching +270 to score a touchdown, and +1900 to score two.

Raiders TE Brock Bowers, second on the team in targets with 17, is catching +250 to score a TD, +1600 to score two.

Free NFL Betting Pick

Las Vegas got out-played by the Chargers in Week 1 and by the Ravens for three-plus quarters in Week 2. So they’ve basically won one quarter this season, which doesn’t exactly excite us. Meanwhile, the Panthers are terrible, but Dalton can’t help but be an improvement at the QB spot. Could Carolina run the ball a bit with Chubba Hubbard, score 17 points, play some defense, and keep this one close? Yes, we believe they can. We’ll take the Panthers plus the points.