Betsided

Saints vs. Panthers Prediction, Odds, Spread and Over/Under for NFL Week 3

By Peter Dewey

Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield. / Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
facebooktwitterreddit

The New Orleans Saints and Jameis Winston struggled mightily on offense in Week 2, losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers despite the defense holding Tampa scoreless in the first half. 

Winston is dealing with fractures in his back, which could be problematic for a Saints team that was already down Alvin Kamara in Week 2.

Meanwhile, Baker Mayfield and the Carolina Panthers are 0-2, losing their games by a total of five points, but failing to cover in both contests. Not ideal. 

Matt Rhule and company need to turn things around quick, and it’s possible a home matchup against the banged-up Saints is the perfect spot. Here are the odds for this Week 3 matchup from FanDuel: 

 

Saints vs. Panthers Odds, Spread and Total

Panthers vs. Saints Betting Trends

  • Both teams are 1-1 on the OVER this season
  • The Panthers are 0-2 ATS this season
  • The Saints are 0-2 ATS this season
  • The Panthers are 3-6 ATS as home underdogs under Matt Rhule

Saints vs. Panthers Prediction and Pick

I have no interest in backing the Saints with Winston injured, but the Panthers have been awful as home dogs (3-6 ATS) since Rhule took over in 2020. 

That leads me to the total in this game, and both of these teams have struggled offensively, especially in Week 2. 

The Saints rank 11th in yards per play, but that is inflated by a good game against the Atlanta Falcons, who have one of the worst defenses in the NFL. New Orleans scored just 10 points in Week 2 and Winston tossed three picks in that game. 

As for the Panthers, their offense has been stuck in mud, ranking 21st in football in yards per play, and they’ve been easing Christian McCaffrey into his workload so far this season. 

I’ll give the Saints credit, they slowed down Tom Brady and the Bucs, and in his career against the Saints, McCaffrey averages just 3.2 yards per carry (in seven games). 

If CMC doesn’t get going, I don’t trust Mayfield to move the ball down the field and put up points. Go UNDER. 

Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.

Home/NFL Picks