The New Orleans Saints are so blessed that despite a very disappointing 3-4 start to the season, they’re somehow still in the thick of the NFC South title chase. After an emphatic home win against the Packers on Sunday night, the Saints can immediately jump back up to the top of the division with a win over the defending champion Carolina Panthers.
But with the Saints’ well-documented struggles outside the Superdome, they might need something of a miracle to pick up a long-awaited road win. Will their prayers finally be answered in Charlotte?
For more exciting NFL Week 9 games, check out our complete previews of the Colts vs. Giants and Ravens vs. Steelers, shortly after reading up on this crucial NFC South matchup.
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New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers Betting Preview
Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
When: Thursday, October 30, 8:30 PM ET
Line: New Orleans Saints (-2.5) at Carolina Panthers (+2.5); total: 48.5 – view all NFL lines
Betting on the New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints put together arguably their most complete performance of the season in their very impressive 44-23 home win over the Green Bay Packers.
[sc:NFL240banner ]The Saints offense looked stellar with Drew Brees, who had been playing below his usually high standards, completing 27 of 32 passes (84 percent) for 311 yards, a season-high three touchdowns and most importantly zero picks. Meanwhile, Mark Ingram shone as the lead runner in a depleted backfield with a career-high 172 rushing yards on 24 carries (7.2 yards per carry) and a touchdown.
Even their much-maligned defense showed up, limiting the Packers’ explosive offense to 23 points and intercepting Aaron Rodgers, who had thrown just one interception all season, twice.
But while it was impresive to see the Saints beat one of the best teams in the NFC so convincingly, it shouldn’t be forgotten that they did it at home. For whatever reason, the Saints are a different team on the road, where they’ve suffered all four of their losses this season. Dating back to last season, the Saints have lost nine of their last 10 regular season road games.
However, it’s not as if the Saints have been thoroughly outplayed outside of the Superdome this season. Aside from a 21-point beatdown to the Cowboys, their other three road losses have come by a combined total of six points.
Brees and the Saints were able to move the ball capably against the Lions’ terrific defense – arguably the best in the NFL – on the road, and even an improved Panthers defense which kept the Seahawks quiet last Sunday may have trouble containing the Saints’ many offensive weapons.
The total has gone over in all four of the Saints’ road games this season.
Betting on the Carolina Panthers
Despite failing to win for the fourth time in six games (1-4-1), the Carolina Panthers should still take away at least one positive in their 13-9 home defeat to the defending champion Seattle Seahawks.
That one silver lining would be the Panthers defense’s return to competence. Carolina limited the Seahawks to just 13 on 310 total yards of offense, with seven points and 80 yards coming from a dramatic game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter.
But after the Panthers played so horrifically for over a month – they gave up 37 or more points in four of their previous five games – it remains to be seen if their showing against the Seahawks was actually the anomaly.
Unfortunately, Carolina’s offensive woes are closer to the norm at this point. The Panthers are ranked a lowly 24th in scoring at 20.9 points per game, and could only produce nine points against the Seahawks due to more poor red zone execution. They came away with just six points from three red zone attempts against Seattle, bringing their season total to just 12 touchdowns on 26 trips into the red zone.
Quarterback Cam Newton played his second subpar game in a row as he threw for just 171 passing yards and was held without a touchdown for the first time this season. He also threw another interception for the fourth game running, and committed another turnover after fumbling in the red zone.
Newton will have a big opportunity to bounce back against a Saints defense that has struggled mightily to defend the pass this season. Rookie receiver Kelvin Benjamin responded well after being benched for disciplinary reasons as he finished with 94 yards against the Seahawks, the most he’s had since Week 3.
Carolina has covered in five of its last six home games against the Saints.
Writer’s Prediction
The Saints conspire to throw yet another road game away as Newton leads the Panthers (+2.5) to a win and cover at home. Create a betting account now to cash in on all the big NFL division showdowns.
