Saints vs. Panthers Pick
NFC South rivals clash in Week 17 when the Carolina Panthers host the New Orleans Saints at 1:00PM ET on Sunday.
The Saints lost to the Buccaneers 20-17 in overtime as a 14-point favorite in Week 16, while the combined score fell under the posted total of 48.5 points. Drew Brees threw for 258 yards with a touchdown for New Orleans and Pierre Thomas rushed for 60 yards and a TD on six carries.
The Panthers crushed the Giants 41-9 as an 8.5-point underdog in Week 16, while the combined score went over the posted total of 43 points. Matt Moore threw for 171 yards and three touchdowns in the win, while Jonathan Stewart rushed for 206 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL.com have made the Panthers 7-point favorites over the Saints in Week 17. The over/under total for this game has been set at 41 points.
Our free pick prediction for this game is the Panthers –7. With the Saints resting starters, Mark Brunell will start under center and that doesn’t bode well for New Orleans. Carolina’s outstanding pass rush and secondary will doom him from the start and the Panthers should win running away with this one.
New Orleans is 1-4 against the spread in its last five games and 1-6 against the number in its last six games when playing Carolina. Conversely, the Panthers are 4-1 against the spread in their last five games and 12-4 straight up in their last 16 games at home.
The Panthers’ running game should take control of this game from the start. We also recommend the under in this game, especially considering the total has gone under in 5 of Carolina’s last 5 games when playing at home against New Orleans.
Our NFL Week 17 Free Pick for this matchup is: CAROLINA PANTHERS -7 and UNDER 41.
Saints at Panthers Current Odds
303 New Orleans Saints +7 (+260 moneyline) Over 41
304 Carolina Panthers –7 (-320 moneyline) Under 41
New Orleans is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Carolina
New Orleans is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing Carolina
Carolina is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Carolina’s last 6 games at home
NEW ORLEANS
[OL] 09/29/2009 – Jammal Brown IR ( Hip )
[TE] 09/05/2009 – Billy Miller IR ( Achilles )
[CB] 08/16/2009 – Reggie Jones IR ( Undisclosed )
[LB] 08/16/2009 – Mark Simoneau IR ( Tricep )
[FS] 09/05/2009 – Chip Vaughn IR ( Knee )
[FB] 09/05/2009 – Olaniyi Sobomehin IR ( Undisclosed )
[FB] 10/29/2009 – Heath Evans IR ( Leg )
[WR] 10/16/2009 – Rod Harper IR ( Knee )
[DT] 11/08/2009 – Kendrick Clancy IR ( Knee )
[CB] 12/27/2009 – Jabari Greer "?" Sunday vs. Carolina ( Groin )
[CB] 11/28/2009 – Leigh Torrence IR ( Shoulder )
[LB] 12/09/2009 – Jo-Lonn Dunbar IR ( Hamstring )
[TE] 12/27/2009 – Jeremy Shockey "?" Sunday vs. Carolina ( Toe )
[DB] 12/27/2009 – Randall Gay "?" Sunday vs. Carolina ( Concussion )
[FB] 12/22/2009 – Marcus Mailei IR ( Hamstring )
[LB] 12/27/2009 – Scott Shanle "?" Sunday vs. Carolina ( Concussion )
[CB] 12/27/2009 – Usama Young "?" Sunday vs. Carolina ( Hip )
[WR] 12/27/2009 – Lance Moore "?" Sunday vs. Carolina ( Ankle )
[RB] 12/27/2009 – Pierre Thomas injured last game, "?" Sunday vs. Carolina ( Ribs )
CAROLINA
[DT] 08/14/2009 – Ma’ake Kemoeatu IR ( Achilles )
[QB] 09/14/2009 – Josh McCown IR ( Knee )
[OG] 08/31/2009 – CJ Davis IR ( Ankle )
[S] 09/01/2009 – Nate Salley IR ( Knee )
[DL] 09/21/2009 – Louis Leonard IR ( Ankle )
[LB] 11/09/2009 – Thomas Davis IR ( Knee )
[OT] 11/17/2009 – Jordan Gross IR ( Leg )
[DT] 12/06/2009 – Tank Tyler IR ( Knee )
[QB] 12/24/2009 – Jake Delhomme IR ( Finger )
[LB] 11/24/2009 – Landon Johnson IR ( Knee )
[OT] 12/08/2009 – Corvey Irvin IR ( Knee )
[OT] 12/16/2009 – Jeff Otah IR ( Knee )
[RB] 12/27/2009 – DeAngelo Williams "?" Sunday vs. New Orleans ( Ankle )
[RB] 12/27/2009 – Tyrell Sutton "?" Sunday vs. New Orleans ( Calf )
[WR] 12/27/2009 – Steve Smith out for season ( Arm )
Posted: 1/3/10 7:40AM ET