The Carolina Panthers have a bitter taste to shake off their mouths after a disastrous second half to their 2018 season. Their rebound begins this Sunday against the defending NFC champions Los Angeles Rams at home. Will the Panthers get off to a good start? Or will the Panthers fold to Sean McVay and his men? The Panthers are +380 to win the NFC South, while the Rams are +1200 to win Super Bowl 54.
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Betting Preview for the Los Angeles Rams vs Carolina Panthers NFL Regular Season Week 1 Game on September 8, 2019
Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
When: Sunday, September 8, 2019, 1:00 PM ET
Line: Los Angeles Rams (-3) vs. Carolina Panthers (+3) – view all 2019 NFL lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Los Angeles Rams (0-0)
The Rams had one of the most electrifying offenses in the NFL last season with head coach Sean McCay doing wonders acting as the team’s offensive coordinator, too. The team managed to average 30.8 points per game — second-most in the NFL in 2018. However, their offense sputtered mightily in the grand stage, losing to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 54 in which the Rams scored just three points. Still, the Rams’ offense is nothing to scoff at. One bad game won’t change the fact that this team has lethal potency on the attack with Jared Goff running the passing attack and Todd Gurley lurking in the backfield. Gurley’s health has been a concerning topic, though, for the Rams as he’s reportedly having issues with his knees. Gurley is still expected to start in Week 1, while rookie Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown will provide depth for the running back position. The Rams are also getting back wide receiver Cooper Kupp from injury and will bolster the team’s receiving corps that has a pair of 1,000-yard receivers in 2018 in Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods. The Rams’ defense is something, too, as the stop unit gets Aaron Donald significant help by signing Eric Weddle and Clay Matthews in the offseason.
The Rams are 3-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last four road games.
Betting on the Carolina Panthers (0-0)
The Panthers won six of their first eight games in 2018 — then wheels completely went off for Cam Newton and company, as they lost seven of their next eight games to finish with a 7-9 SU record. Newton still is the most important player for the Panthers despite surgeries in the past on his throwing shoulder. He hurt his ankle in a preseason game this year, but he’s expected to play in the season opener against the visiting Rams. Last year, Newton passed for 3,395 yards and 24 touchdowns with 13 interceptions. He also rushed for 488 yards and four touchdowns. If Newton is the player who likely defines the Panthers’ season, it’s do-it-all running back Christian McCaffrey who’ll have his fingerprints on almost everything the team does on offense after setting a new record for single-season receptions for running backs with 107. Carolina’s defense will have its hands full in taking on the Rams, but the pass rush could be up to the task. The Panthers used a first-round pick on edge rusher Brian Burns and added veteran defensive end Bruce Irvin to the stop unit.
The Panthers are 6-4 ATS in their last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
The Rams win, 36-28
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