The Carolina Panthers just want to see their losing skid end, and that’s their top mission in the final week of the 2018 NFL regular season. However, standing in their way are the New Orleans Saints, who just locked up the top seed in the NFC. Will the Panthers end their catastrophic season on a positive note? Or will the Saints show no mercy and beat the Panthers – again? Atlanta is not just a strong favorite in this week’s uneven matchup, the remain the be the sportsbook’s odds on leader to win Super Bowl 53.
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Betting Preview for the Carolina Panthers vs New Orleans Saints NFL Week 17 Game on December 30, 2018
Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans
When: Sunday, December 30, 2018, 1:00 PM ET
Line: Carolina Panthers (odds) vs New Orleans Saints (odds) – view all 2018 NFL lines
TV Broadcast: FOX
Betting on the Carolina Panthers (6-9)
The Panthers have one last chance this year to their losing streak which got extended to seven games after losing to the Atlanta Falcons at home last Sunday, 24-10. Panthers can’t say they didn’t entirely expect their team to go up in smokes in the Atlanta game, considering that Carolina was quarterbacked by Taylor Heinicke instead of Cam Newton. With Newton having been shut down for the final two weeks of the season, Heinicke took over as stater in Week 16 and got smothered by the Falcons’ relatively weak defense. Heinicke completed 33-of-53 passes for a touchdown with three interceptions. Overall, the Panthers committed four turnovers, which all helped doom them. With a second-rate quarterback under center, the Panthers need their defense to step up. The Panthers did a good job of containing Drew Brees in their 12-9 home loss to the Saints in Week 15, as they held the future Hall of Famer down to only 203 passing yards and zero touchdowns with an interception.
Cam Newton's absence due to his shoulder injury has been a significant blow for the Panthers. Without their star quarterback, the team's offensive capabilities have been limited.
Taylor Heinicke, stepping in, faced challenges with limited experience and confidence on the field. The lack of Newton's energetic play significantly altered the Panthers' usual game strategy and impacted their ability to score effectively in the latter part of the season.
The Panthers are 2-0 ATS in their last two meetings with New Orleans.
Betting on the New Orleans Saints (13-2)
In the penultimate week of the regular season, the Saints scored a huge 31-28 home win over the Pittsburgh Saints, thanks in large part to Drew Brees’ clutch performance. With the Saints down late in the fourth quarter, Brees threw a touchdown pass to wide receiver Michael Thomas and finished the contest with 326 passing yards with zero interceptions on 27-of-39 completions. Brees is a known commodity for the Saints, and though he was contained in the first meeting with Carolina, the Panthers doing it again – this time in New Orleans – seems like a long shot. Plus the Saints’ passing attack looked even more dangerous than the last time Carolina dealt with it, as veteran wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. has finally made his return from a recent trip to the injured reserve. He had 74 receiving yards on five catches against Pittsburgh. There’s also a probability for the Saints to rest their star players in Week 17, so that’s something to watch out for.
The Saints' defense has played an important role in their success this season. Players like Cameron Jordan and Marshon Lattimore have consistently pressured opposing offenses, making key tackles and game-changing stops.
Their ability to contain and pressure quarterbacks has been a highlight in recent games. This has created opportunities for turnovers and controlled the pace on the defensive end.
The Saints are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games.
Betting Trends and Insights
Bettors have noticed distinct trends with the Panthers consistently underperforming against the spread in their last set of games. Meanwhile, the Saints have been strong ATS, especially in home games, showcasing their dominance at the Superdome.
When considering over/under, the Saints’ offensive power and the Panthers' weakened defense have made overs a popular choice in matchups featuring New Orleans.
Writer’s Prediction
New Orleans wins, 27-19.
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The post Carolina Panthers vs New Orleans Saints Predictions, Picks, Odds and Betting Preview – NFL Week 17 – December 30 2018 appeared first on Sports Betting Tips, News, and Analysis.
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