Carolina Panthers vs. Arizona Cardinals, 9/20/19 NFL Predictions & Betting Odds

Panthers vs. Cardinals Total Prediction

The Panthers will be without Cam Newton this Sunday when they travel to Arizona to take on the Cardinals at 4:05 p.m. ET. With no Newton, is the under a safe play for bettors?

Game Snapshot

479 Carolina Panthers (+2.5) at 480 Arizona Cardinals (-2.5); O/U 44.5

4:05 p.m. ET, Sunday, September 22, 2019

State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ

Public Betting Trends

According to our NFL Football Public Betting Chart page, the Cardinals are receiving 59% of the betting tickets from online sportsbooks.

Carolina Panthers Fantasy Spin

Cam Newton (foot) didn't practice Thursday and was spotted in a walking boot. All the stars are aligning for Kyle Allen to start under center for the Panthers' Week 3 matchup against the Cardinals. It wouldn't be surprising to see Newton struggle to be ready for Week 4, let alone Sunday. Allen isn't in the same stratosphere as Newton when it comes to rushing ability, but his presence might not be such a bad thing for D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel alike. Only the Dolphins and Bears have had a lower percentage of catchable targets than the Panthers this season (PFF).

Arizona Cardinals Fantasy Spin

Coach Kliff Kingsbury told reporters Monday that RB David Johnson (wrist) is fine to play for the Cardinals' Week 3 matchup against the Panthers. The more pressing concern for Johnson is his usage, as he had just seven carries and one target in the team's Week 2 loss to the Ravens. Still, he faces little competition for snaps from backup Chase Edmonds and continues to work as the undisputed three-down back in the Cardinals' pass-first offense. Johnson has a prime chance to bounce back in Week 3 at home vs. a Panthers defense that has yielded solid days to the likes of Todd Gurley (14-97-0), Malcolm Brown (11-53-2) and Peyton Barber (23-82-1) through two weeks.

NFL Betting Trends

Carolina

The under is 5-2 in the Panthers’ last seven games overall and has cashed in five of their last seven road games as well.

Arizona

The under is 21-8 in the Cardinals’ last 29 home games and has cashed in 20 of their last 28 games played in the month of September.

Prediction

Kyler Murray and the Cardinals have moved the ball effectively since the second half of their Week 1 tie versus the Lions and, to some degree, last Sunday in Baltimore. What they haven’t done well is get into the end zone. Murray has shown that he can move the ball in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense but once the field shrinks and the passing windows tighten, the Cardinals’ offense stalls inside the red zone. Kingsbury has proven to be a conservative decision-maker when it comes to going for it on fourth down, too. Meanwhile, without Newton, the Panthers might actually be more effectively in the passing game because he has been so inaccurate, but it’s hard to imagine that Kyle Allen lights up the scoreboard this weekend.

NFL Week 3 Prediction: Panthers/Cardinals UNDER 44.5