NFL Preview & Lines – Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints
The Carolina Panthers will play the New Orleans Saints as they try to become the 2nd team in the league to win 9 straight games this season. In order to achieve that goal, first they’ll have to give the New Orleans Saints their first 2013 loss at home. The winner of this game will take control of the NFC South.
LOOK AT THE CAROLINA PANTHERS (9-3, 4-2 AWAY)
The Panthers will be well prepared defensively while playing against Drew Brees and the rest of the Saint’s strong and powerful attack. The Carolina Panthers are second best in the league allowing only 13.1 points each game and 289.8 yards. Carolina are on a roll, winning four straight games on the road and remain the last team to win against New Orleans at the Superdome. Carolina won 44-38 on Dec. 20. The Saints are constantly outscoring their opponents with 199-95 in their 6 home wins this year. After losing to New Orleans four NFL Betting games in a row, the Panthers had beaten the Saints two times during the last year.
Carolina is playing exceptional defense, but their coach Ron Rivera knows they’re in for a tough game on Sunday, trying to hold off New Orleans. Their pass rusher Charles Johnson will be back after missing the two previous games suffering from a sprained knee injury.
LOOK AT THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (9-3, 6-0 HOME)
The Saints are looking vulnerable after their tough 34-7 loss against Seattle on Monday and are looking at potential two straight losses for the first time while under coach Sean Payton ever since 2009. The Seahawks proved that it is possible to hold back the Saints allowing them only seven points in that game, which was the fewest they got since Peyton became their coach in 2006. Brees passed for 147 yards, making his lowest score in a full game since Dec. 24, 2006 (132 yards) against the New York Giants. Brees has been reaching the 300 yards in every of the six home games during this season, adding 19 TDs and three interceptions. He holds the 2nd place with 122.2 home passer score, just behind Aaron Rodgers. New Orleans has an average of 33.2 points while playing at home.
BEST NFL BET PREDICTION:
This game will be marked by the clash of a great Carolina defense and equally great New Orleans offense, making it rather difficult to predict the final outcome of this game. New Orleans could be more tired out of the two teams, because of their short week schedule and this could make a difference in a game this close. Panthers are maybe the hottest team in the League, winning 8 straight games. A difficult game to call, but the best pro football bet here is: Carolina Panthers +3
