NFL Sportsbook Odds — Niners Hope For More Offense in Rematch With Panthers

The San Francisco 49ers were stymied offensively when they last took the field against the Carolina Panthers. So it is imperative that if they want to advance to the NFC title game in Seattle next week, they will have to figure out a way to negotiate the #2 defense in the league. NFL sportsbook oddsbettors are pondering their ability to put some points on the board.

The Niners had a close call when they went to Green Bay last week, as the Packers took them right down to the wire until a Phil Dawson field-goal with time running out allowed San Francisco to escape with a 23-20 victory. In that game the 49ers showed a lot of toughness. But they were out-slugged in their last encounter with this Panther team, which has now won eleven of its last 12 games. NFC Divisional round playoff action kicks off at 1:05 PM ET at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.

In the NFL sports book lines that have been established by the folks at BetAnySports, this game is rated a pick’em:

NFL sports book lines courtesy of BetAnySports

 

San Francisco 49ers pick
Carolina Panthers pick

Over 41 points -110
Under 41 points -110

San Francisco got almost nothing going when they last faced the Panthers, and this was especially surprising, as the game took place at Candlestick Park. There was some lingering doubt about Carolina, even though the team was riding a four-game winning streak. They had won all four of those games by double digits, but against losing teams. Against the 49ers, the Panthers showed their mettle, holding San Francisco to 151 yards of total offense. Only one touchdown was scored in the game, and it was on a 27-yard run by DeAngelo Williams. Colin Kaepernick had only 91 yards passing, although NFL bettors know that by no means did Carolina establish any kind of dominance themselves on offense.

The 49ers hope that the dynamic has changed a bit for them. They went into the game having won five in a row, and now they are in another hot run, with seven straight victories. But the difference in this offense right now is the fact that Michael Crabtree is a part of it. The wide receiver out of Texas Tech has now been fully integrated into the attack, and was Kaepernick’s main target last week, with eight receptions for 125 yards. San Francisco also feels that if it didn’t lose tight end Vernon Davis in the second quarter of that first meeting with the Panthers, things may have been different.

BetAnySportscustomers know that San Francisco will have to protect the quarterback in order to advance. That is easier said than done; Carolina led the league with 60 sacks this season, and one of the people who will be patrolling the middle is the equal of any linebacker that the Niners have. We are talking about Luke Kuechly, who was a candidate for the defensive player of the year, without question. The Panthers are second-ranked in defense, giving up only 21 touchdowns on the year. San Francisco has not been all that successful converting on third down, doing so in only 36.5% of those circumstances. If the Panthers can put them into difficult down-and-distance situations, this could be another long afternoon for the 49er attack.