The Carolina Panthers are in danger of letting their season get away, and it’s only Week 3. They’ll look to turn the year around against the also winless Cardinals in Arizona, where they are a 3-point favorite.
Carolina Panthers vs Arizona Cardinals (Matchup Report)
Date/Time: September 22, 4:05 p.m. ET
TV Coverage: FOX
Sportsbook Odds: Carolina -3 | O/U 45.5 (Line History)
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The spread started at -3 in favor of the visiting Panthers, with the total at 45.5. Bettors haven’t swayed one way or the other, as the spread hasn’t shifted yet, but the total has moved a full point to 46.5.
Carolina News & Notes
Once considered the NFL’s version of Superman, Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is now fighting to avoid having a new title: washed up.
The former MVP had another disappointing performance in Week 2, as he completed just 48 percent of his passes and failed to record a passing or rushing touchdown for the fourth straight game. Sports Illustrated’s Jonathan Jones noted that Newton is completing 80.8 percent of his throws to the left side of the field this season, but only 56.7 percent of throws to the middle, and a ghastly 40 percent of throws to the right side of the field.
It might be too early to deem it due to injuries or just eroded talent, but the reality is Newton now owns an eight-game losing streak. He simply needs to play better to end that slump before this becomes a lost season.
Arizona News & Notes
Nobody expected the Cardinals to be an upper-tier NFL team this season, but they have been feisty, and it starts with rookie quarterback Kyler Murray.
This year’s first overall pick, Murray has thrown for more than 300 yards in each of his first two games, as Arizona tied Detroit in Week 1 and hung in tough against a superior Baltimore club right until the very end in Week 2.
The light didn’t click for Murray until late in his first game, but he seemed more into the game right away against Baltimore and looks to be getting more comfortable each week. That bodes well for the Cardinals building on their recent string of 4-1 ATS in their last five September contests.
Betting Pick: OVER 45.5
Arizona’s offense is only getting better, and while Cam has struggled, the Cardinals defense doesn’t really stop anyone. That adds up to a total OVER 45.5.
- The total has gone OVER in each of the last 3 matchups between these teams (avg. combined score: 52.33).
- The Panthers are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games as favorite.
- The Cardinals are 2-7-1 ATS in their last 10 games after consecutive ATS wins.
