New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers Betting Preview/Prop Picks
23 September 2022
Time: 1:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: New Orleans 131.661; Carolina 119.537
Dunkel Line & Total: New Orleans by 12; 36
Vegas Line & Total: New Orleans by 3; 40
Dunkel Pick: New Orleans (-3); Under
The New Orleans Saints suffered a 20-10 loss to the Carolina Panthers last week. With Jameis Winston under center, the Saints' offense looks massively different this season.
This week, they face another NFC South opponent, the Carolina Panthers. The good news for New Orleans is this is a much better matchup for them. The Saints come into this game as three-point favorites.
The Carolina Panthers are 0-2 after Week 2, and opinions are already circulating. Naming Baker Mayfield as the starting quarterback might've been a bad idea, but it's too late now.
Sam Darnold, the backup is still out with an injury, so they're stuck with Mayfield for now. Coming off of a 19-16 loss to the New York Giants, the Panthers are hoping to earn their first win of the season.
New Orleans Saints: Saints need to get off to a fast start
With a record of 1-1, the New Orleans Saints are looking to get a 2-1 start this season. It's been a tough start to the year as they've faced all three of their division rivals in back-to-back weeks.
When they face the Panthers, they need to focus on getting a fast start. If they put the Panthers on their heels early, they'll force Mayfield to make mistakes, leading to turnovers.
As an offense, the Saints have averaged 18.5 points per game (19th). Their specialty is running the ball, where they average 125.5 rushing yards each game. What we'd like to see from them is use the run to open up the passing game.
They've averaged only 221 passing yards each game, even though they have several targets. Being better through the air could equal a win.
Carolina Panthers: Panthers need to be better all around
With an 0-2 record, there isn't much that the Panthers are actually doing right. Last week, when they faced the Giants, they scored one touchdown, and it wasn't until the third quarter. This lack of offense is what led to their 19-16 loss.
There also isn't just one person to place the blame on, but the playcalling has been awful. They've also failed to make use of RB Christian McCaffrey.
This season, McCaffrey leads the team with just 135 total rushing yards. This averages out to 67.5 rushing yards per game, one of the league's worst. As a team, the Panthers average 168 passing yards per game, nearly last in the NFL.
This is a big problem as the offense was supposed to be better under Mayfield. At some point, they might need to make a move.
New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers Betting Pick
When looking at each of these teams, one thing really sticks out, offense. The Saints have done much better this season on the ground and through the air.
The Panthers, on the other hand, haven't made much of an impact either way. Their defense has allowed 22.5 points per game this year, and their offense can't keep up.
Because of this, we're going to go with the Saints as three-point favorites over the Carolina Panthers. We'll also take the under since neither of these teams has a really strong offense. In our opinion, the Panthers will fall to 0-3 this weekend.
DunkelIndex Free Pick: New Orleans Saints -3, UNDER
Prop Picks
Carolina (-105) UNDER 19.5 Points
New Orleans allowed 19.7 points per game last season on defense, which ranked No. 4 in the NFL. That average decreased to 16.6 points per game on the road. Scores have gone UNDER in 14 of the Saints’ last 19 road games versus Carolina.
With Dunkel predicting an New Orleans victory by the score of 24-12, take the Panthers (-105) to finish UNDER their Vegas team total of 19.5 points against the Saints.
Jameis Winston (-115) UNDER 219.5 Passing Yards
Carolina allowed 192.1 passing yards per game on defense last season, which ranked No. 3 in the NFL. That average has decreased to 150.0 yards per game this season.
With Dunkel predicting the final score staying UNDER the Vegas point total, take Winston (-115) to finish UNDER 219.5 passing yards versus the Panthers.
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