The New Orleans Saints are set to play their last home game of the season this coming weekend against the visiting Carolina Panthers. The Saints are not going to make the playoffs, but what a pleasure they’d give their home fans if they can take down Brady and the reigning Super Bowl champs in an upset victory. Sure, the Saints can dream, but will the Bucs even allow that to happen? Check out our preview below of this game between the Bucs and Saints in Week 17.
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Betting Preview for the Carolina Panthers vs New Orleans Saints Regular Season Week 17 Game on January 2, 2022
Where: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans
When: Sunday, January 2, 2022, 1:00 PM ET
Line: Carolina Panthers (odds) vs New Orleans Saints (odds) – view all 2022 NFL lines
TV Broadcast: FOX
Betting on the Carolina Panthers (odds)
Regular Season Record: 5-10
Cam Newton isn’t the answer. Surprise, surprise: Sam Darnold isn’t, too. The two quarterbacks split duties under center in Week 16 but the result was still a 32-6 home loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Whether it’s Darnold or Newton who’ll start in Week 17 against the Saints, somebody else should step up for the Panthers. If it’s going to be Darnold starting on Sunday, at least he’s got experience in beating the Saints this season. Darnold threw for two touchdowns with an interception while going 26/38 for 305 yards in Carolina’s 26-7 home win over New Orleans, back when things were still alright for the Panthers in Week 2. But the Panthers can still rely on their pass rush. They are fifth in the league in defensive sack rate and will be facing New Orleans’ offensive line that had just given up eight sacks in Week 16.
The Panthers are 7-1 against the spread in their last 8 games after a loss of at least 10 points at home.
Betting on the New Orleans Saints (odds)
Regular Season Record: 7-8
You got to feel for Ian Book. The rookie got wrecked in his NFL debut during the Saints, 20-3 home loss to the Miami Dolphins Monday night. It was a trainwreck of a start for Book, who finished with just 135 passing yards and two picks thrown on 12/20 completions. It’s uncertain for now whether Book will continue to start in Week 17. That will be dependent on the availability of either Taysom Hill or Trevor Siemian. The two are currently labeled questionable for Week 17 after missing the game versus the Dolphins. In any case, the Saints have to give running back Alvin Kamara a bigger load. Kamara rushed just 13 times against the Dolphins and was targeted only four times downfield. New Orleans is averaging 21.1 points and 301.9 total yards per game. The team is also fourth with a defense that is giving up just 20.3 points per contest.
The Saints are 6-2 against the spread in their last 8 games after scoring fewer than 15 points in their previous outing.
Writer’s Prediction
The Saints win, 26-17.
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