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Chargers at Panthers: Game preview, odds, prediction

By John Buhler

Nov 17, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) drops back to pass in the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 17, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) drops back to pass in the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Carolina Panthers will host the San Diego Chargers on Sunday afternoon in Week 14. Here is a game preview, the betting odds and final score prediction.

All 32 NFL teams are playing in Week 14. One of the early kickoffs on Sunday, Dec. 11 will be between the San Diego Chargers (5-7) and the Carolina Panthers (4-8). Kickoff from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte will be at 1:00 p.m. ET. FOX will carry the game.

San Diego is clinging on for dear life in the AFC Playoffs race at 5-7. The Chargers cannot win the AFC West, as the Oakland Raiders are already 10-2 on the year entering Week 14. San Diego cannot afford to drop a game and must hope the Denver Broncos (8-4) stumble in the final quarter of the 2016 NFL season.

Carolina is in a similar boat in the NFC. The Panthers flat out stunk on the road against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football in Week 13 to fall to 8-4. They trail the Atlanta Falcons (7-5) and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5) in the NFC South by three games. One more loss pretty much knocks the Panthers out of NFC Playoff contention entirely.

Odds

Point Spread: Carolina -1.5
Moneylines: Carolina -125, San Diego +105
Over/Under: 48.5

According to OddsShark.com, the Panthers will be laying only 1.5 points at home to the visiting Chargers. The associated moneylines in this game are Carolina -125 and San Diego +105. This game’s over/under comes in at a combined 48.5 points.

Here are the trends to know with the Chargers: 1.) San Diego is 11-5 against the spread in its last 16 games. 2.) The Chargers are 7-17 straight up in their last 24 games. 3.) They have gone over in nine of their last 13 games. 4.) San Diego is 10-2 against the spread in its last 12 road games. 5.) The Chargers are 3-12 straight up in their last 15 road games.

Here are the trends to know with the Panthers: 1.) Carolina is 1-2-2 against the spread in its last five games. 2.) The Panthers are 3-7 straight up in their last 10 games. 3.) They are 8-3-1 against the spread in their last 12 home games, but 1-3-1 against the spread in their last five games in Charlotte. 4.) Carolina is 16-3 straight up in their last 19 home games.

With both teams pretty much out of it in 2016, the team that is more mentally tough will win this game. San Diego’s stadium situation is in flux and the Chargers are looking like they are indeed going to Los Angeles in 2017. Maybe getting away from Qualcomm Stadium is good for Philip Rivers’ team?

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Carolina has had a huge home field advantage in recent years, but this team is growing increasingly sorry as the season progresses. The Panthers should win this game, as they are more talented than the Chargers in 2016. However, San Diego is clearly the more mentally tough team. The Chargers win on the road by one score against the Panthers.

Pick: Chargers 28, Panthers 24

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