Panthers vs. Lions Prediction
Can the Carolina Panthers go on the road and upset the Detroit Lions when the two NFC teams collide later today at 1PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Detroit is favored at home in this game, as the Lions are getting odds of -2.5 points against the Panthers. The over/under total for the game is listed at 42.5 points. Carolina has won five of its last six against the Lions, but Detroit is 4-1 against the spread in the last five of this series. These two meet from Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan and the game will air live on FOX.
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Detroit is coming off a 14-7 win at Minnesota last week. The Lions 3-1 on the season and 3-1 against the spread. The Lions have been an underdog in all four games this year. Detroit has had one of the best defenses in the league so far, allowing 17.5 points and 341.3 yards per game. While the yardage average is somewhat high, the defense has created 11 turnovers and has 10 sacks. Offensively, Detroit is averaging 24.8 points and 318.8 yards per game. Their rushing attack is still lackluster, but Ameer Adbullah has run for 257 yards this season. He comes into today’s game with an ankle injury that has him listed as probable. Matthew Stafford has thrown for 887 yards and seven touchdowns, but he has been sacked 12 times this season, as his offensive line has been injury plagued.
The Panthers are 3-1 on the season following a nice 33-30 win at New England last week. Carolina is 2-2 against the spread, covering in both wins on the road. Carolina has a pretty good defense, allowing just 17.5 points and 298.5 yards per game. The offense had been struggling until last week’s outburst. Carolina now averages 19.5 points and 341 yards per game. Cam Newton has thrown for 882 yards with five touchdowns and five interceptions. He also has been sacked 12 times. He is coming off a drama-filled week in which he laughed at a female reporter and drew a lot of criticism from the media. Jonathan Stewart is the leading rusher on this team with 230 yards.
I like what the Lions have done this season, but something doesn’t feel right about this matchup. The Lions are really banged up on the offensive line. They are already using a backup left tackle and their entire right starting side could be out today. Last week the Lions had to hang on with defense because their offense couldn’t run the ball or protect Stafford in the fourth quarter. I see similar problems throughout the game today. I think Carolina finds a way to win on the road due to their defense.
NFL WEEK 5 PREDICTION: CAROLINA PANTHERS +2.5