Packers at Panthers: Preview, prediction, odds and pick

The Carolina Panthers will host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon in Week 15. Here is a game preview, the betting odds and a final score prediction.

We’ve got a bunch of great games on the slate for Week 15 in the NFL. One game you won’t want to miss on Sunday afternoon will be the one between the Green Bay Packers (7-6) and the Carolina Panthers (9-4). Kickoff from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte will be at 1:00 p.m. ET on Dec. 17. Joe Buck and Troy Aikman will be in the booth to call the game for FOX.

Green Bay enters play at 7-6 on the year and in third place in the NFC North. The Packers are three games back of the Minnesota Vikings (10-3) for the division lead. Green Bay does not have the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Detroit Lions (7-6), who beat the Packers earlier in the season. While Brett Hundley had quarterbacked this team last handful of weeks, it’s Aaron Rodgers time once again in Green Bay, so get excited for that.

Carolina enters play at 9-4 on the year and in second place in the NFC South. While the Panthers have identical records with the New Orleans Saints (9-4), Carolina was swept by their rival earlier this season. However, Carolina would be the No. 5 seed in the NFC playoff picture if the season ended after Week 14. Interestingly, the Panthers would play none other than the Saints in the No. 4 vs. No. 5 game in New Orleans. Maybe third time’s a charm?

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Carolina -2.5
Moneylines: Carolina -140, Green Bay +125
Over/Under: 47

According to OddsShark, the Panthers will be laying 2.5 points at home to the visiting Packers. The associated moneylines for this game are Carolina -140 and Green Bay +125. This game’s over/under comes in at a combined 47 points.

This game will not disappoint. You wouldn’t expect anything else with two former NFL MVP quarterbacks going at it in Rodgers for the Packers and Cam Newton for the Panthers. With Rodgers back in the fold, let’s side with the over in terms of this game’s point total.

Carolina will take a 24-17 lead into the fourth quarter. After battling on a few possessions, Green Bay will finally break through with a go-ahead touchdown pass from Rodgers to his favorite target in wide receiver Jordy Nelson.

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The Panthers will get the ball back with about four minutes left. Newton will have the Panthers deep in Packers’ territory on the verge of winning the game with a score of their own. However, the Panthers will fumble the football at the worst time possible. Green Bay will take over and end the game in victory formation.

Pick: Packers 28, Panthers 24