The Carolina Panthers will face off against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday for the first week of NFL action. The matchup kicks off at 1:00 p.m. ET at the Caesars Superdome.
The Saints enter as four-point favorites, with a game total set at 41.5 points.
Last season, Carolina struggled with a record of 2-15 straight-up and 4-11-2 against the spread. With new players and a fresh head coach, the Panthers are aiming for a more competitive season as they kick off against a longtime rival from the NFC South.
New Orleans concluded the previous season with a 9-8 record, including a 6-10-1 mark against the spread. At home, the Saints were only able to cover the spread in three of their eight games at the Caesars Superdome. They will look to build on their performance with quarterback Derek Carr and running back Alvin Kamara, under the guidance of new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.
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Optimism Surrounds the Panthers This Season
The Carolina Panthers are poised for improvement in the 2024-25 season, thanks to the promising talents of quarterback Bryce Young and the expertise of head coach Dave Canales. Young, a former number one overall draft pick from Alabama, is expected to develop into a more effective passer under Canales, who previously excelled as the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Panthers have enhanced their roster by adding skilled players like wide receiver Diontae Johnson and rookie draft picks, wide receiver Xavier Legette and running back Jonathan Brooks. With the experience of wide receiver Adam Thielen and running back Chuba Hubbard, the offensive lineup has potential. They also made significant investments in the offensive line, acquiring guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis to protect Young, who faced challenges with blocking in his debut season. This revamped line, alongside tackles Taylor Moton and Ikem Ekwonu, is expected to perform better.
Furthermore, Carolina has made substantial defensive upgrades this offseason, securing talents such as defensive end/outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney and linebacker Josey Jewell. Clowney and fellow newcomer D.J. Wonnum will aim to fill the void left by pass rusher Brian Burns, now with the Giants. However, the departure of linebacker Frankie Luvu and cornerback Donte Jackson could impact the defense’s performance.
Injury Report: Cornerback Troy Hill, tight end Tommy Tremble, and offensive tackle Josh Nijman are questionable for the season opener.
Saints Face Questions Despite Talent
The New Orleans Saints fell just short of the playoffs last season, needing a Tampa Bay loss to secure a postseason spot. This year, the team is optimistic about its chances with Klint Kubiak taking over as offensive coordinator, tasked with rejuvenating an offense that struggled in the red zone.
Quarterback Derek Carr had a respectable season, throwing for 3,878 yards, with 25 touchdowns and only eight interceptions while achieving a completion rate of 68.4%. Nonetheless, the offensive line has faced challenges, particularly with tackle Trevor Penning underperforming and the loss of Ryan Ramczyk to injury. The Saints are hopeful that first-round pick Taliese Fuaga can bolster the line, but it remains a concern. The skill positions have their own issues; while Chris Olave shows promise, the depth behind him is lacking. Additionally, running back Alvin Kamara’s history of missed games raises questions about his reliability.
Defensively, the addition of DE Chase Young could provide support, though he has not consistently performed at the level expected from his college days. The Saints ranked poorly in pressure rate last season, which has put strain on their secondary. Veteran safety Tyrann Mathieu is now 32 years old, and his partner Jordan Howden has limited experience. However, the acquisition of second-round pick Kool-Aid McKinstry offers hope for improvement in the defensive back unit. The linebacking corps, led by Demario Davis, remains a strong point.
Injury Report: Linebacker Willie Gay, defensive tackle Khalen Saunders, wide receiver A.T. Perry, offensive tackle Nick Saldivieri, and tight end Dallin Holker are all questionable for Sunday’s game.
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Top Betting Picks for Panthers vs. Saints
Betting Trend: The Saints hold a 7-15 record against the spread at home since 2021.
Despite the Saints’ revamped offense, they may struggle to cover the spread this Sunday. The Panthers have upgraded their roster significantly, and Young is expected to display improvement in his second NFL season. After a tough 2023 season, where they ranked low in injury luck and turnover efficiency, Carolina could see positive regression this year.
The Panthers have a solid chance to upset the Saints, but the most reliable bet appears to be them covering the spread. Carr has a history of disappointing as a favorite, with a 74-83-3 record against the spread overall and a dismal 3-14-1 mark over his last 18 games when favored by three points or more. Meanwhile, Carolina’s defense ranked sixth in passing yards allowed last season and has improved its run defense with the recent signings of Clowney and K’Lavon Chaisson.
Bet on the Panthers at +3.5 or higher.
