The Carolina Panthers are in the midst of a build-up year in which they fired their head coach and traded arguably the league’s best running back, Christian McCaffrey.
Sam Darnold was supposed to lead the Panthers’ offense this year but suffered an ankle injury in preseason that still has him on the shelf.
2022 third-round draft pick Ole Miss’ Matt Corrall is also unavailable since he was placed on the injured reserve list after injuring his foot during a preseason training session.
Carolina traded to QB Baker Mayfield for the Cleveland Browns to solve their quarterback crisis, but his performance in 2022 was lackluster.
Enter former XFL legend PJ Walker.
This is Walker’s third season with the Carolina Panthers after his stint with the Houston Roughnecks, a team that was 5-0 and ran through the short-lived XFL in 2020.
PJ was able to lead the Panthers to back-to-back wins in 2021-22 but was relegated to the roster when the team signed Cam Newton, who promptly lost most of his remaining games.
On tonight’s Thursday Night Football, the NFL betting sites give the visiting Atlanta Falcons a -2.5 point advantage. If those predictions hold true, this could be Walker’s last chance to hold the starting quarterback position for Carolina.
Atlanta Falcons @ Carolina Panthers betting line
- Falcon’s Point Spread: -2.5
- Falcon Moneyline: -150
- Panther’s Point Spread: +2.5
- Panther Moneyline: +130
- Over/Under: 41.5
PJ probably would have gotten the job done for the season had it not been for the Week 8 loss to the Falcons. Walker and the Panthers offense went for a game-defining touchdown in the closing seconds, but wide receiver DJ Moore removed his helmet after the play, resulting in a 15-yard penalty.
This unsportsmanlike conduct penalty was applied to the extra point attempt that went off course and sent the game into overtime. Walker again put the team in scoring position, only to miss a routine 33-yard field goal from kicker Eddy Pineiro, which won the game.
The win would have resulted in a four-way tie in the NFC South, with all teams going 3-5 and the Panthers sitting in first place.
Walker is playing for his Panthers career tonight, but will be on a short leash after last weekend’s 42-21 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
The NFL prop bets below have been created to provide insight into Walker’s potential performance.
PJ Walker Prop Betting
- PJ Walker 200 or more passing yards +225
- PJ Walker 225 or more passing yards +400
- PJ Walker 250 or more passing yards +700
- PJ Walker scores a rushing or receiving touchdown +750
- PJ Walker First touchdown scorer +3000
- PJ Walker scores 2 or more TDs +10000
- PJ Walker scores 3 or more TDs +20000
Who will have more passing yards in the game?
- PJ Walker (CAR)-135
- Marcus Mariota (ATL) +105
Marcus Mariota is known for both his running and passing ability, but Walker is no slouch when it comes to executing a quarterback keeper. Walker will pass for more yards than Mariota tonight and has the potential to reward players with a net gain of $1 for every $1.35 risked on this outcome.
Players familiar with XFL betting 2020 are already familiar with the talent that Walker possesses. Thursday Night Football against the Falcons gives him a chance to show off his skills to a national audience and earn his starting job.
Thursday Night Football Betting Odds – Bovada
Sources – Panther Official Website, WBTV