Panthers vs. Cardinals, 9/22/19 NFL Week 3 Predictions & Point Spreads

Panthers vs. Cardinals Week 3 Prediction

The Panthers and Cardinals will both vie for their first win of the 2019 season when they square off in Arizona at 4:05 p.m. ET. With Cam Newton out for Carolina, are the Panthers a pure fade or will the Cardinals’ red zone issues continue in another loss?

Game Snapshot

479 Carolina Panthers (+2) at 480 Arizona Cardinals (-2); O/U 45

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 60% of the betting tickets from online sportsbooks.

Carolina Panthers Fantasy Spin

Cam Newton (foot) has been ruled out for the Panthers' Week 3 matchup against the Cardinals. Kyle Allen will start. Newton didn't practice at all this week and should be considered very questionable for Week 4. His absence might not be the biggest obstacle for the likes of Curtis Samuel, D.J. Moore and Christian McCaffrey, as only the Bears and Dolphins have had a lower percentage of catchable passes than the Panthers this season (PFF). The Cardinals remain thin at CB with Patrick Peterson suspended and are one of just 12 defenses to allow more than seven net yards per pass attempt this season.

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 Panthers are 1-4 against the spread in their last five road games and have dropped eight of their last 10 games at the betting window overall.

Arizona

The Cardinals are 4-0 against the spread in their last four games played in September and are 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 games versus NFC opponents.

Prediction

The Panthers opened as a 2.5-point road favorite and when Newton was ruled out, the line jumped to Cardinals -2. With the way Newton has played in the early going, I don’t know if Allen is that much of a downgrade over a 50% Cam. The veteran signal-caller was clearly still affected by shoulder and foot injuries and with Allen healthy, the Panthers passing attack shouldn’t be as limited. Plus, at least Carolina will still have Christian McCaffrey, who is dynamic against any opponent. The Panthers are 5-2 against the spread in their last seven games versus the Cardinals, who have moved the ball well but have settled for too many field goals inside the red zone.

NFL Week 3 Prediction: Carolina Panthers +2