Carolina’s sports betting odds to make the playoffs weren’t great to begin with, but they’ve been solid for ATS players as they have a team that never gives up. Last week’s performance was their worst of the season, and this week, they’ll come up big against a Detroit team for which the season is beginning to get out of hand.
What: NFL Betting
When: Sunday, November 20th, 1:00 PM ET
Where: Ford Field, Detroit, MI
Pick: Carolina Panthers +7
Why Bet On Carolina Panthers (2-7 SU, 5-4 ATS)
The Panthers looked extremely flat coming out of a bye in a 30-3 loss at home to Tennessee, and you have to lay the blame at the feet of head coach Ron Rivera, who, to his credit, is in his first year of leading a team. But Carolina was down 14-0 by the end of the first quarter and never looked like getting back in the game. Cam Newton was 23-of-40 for 212 yards and a pick, while adding 55 yards on the ground, and even though the Panthers are sixth in the league, they didn’t look like it. The defense gave up 383 yards, including 130 yards and a touchdown on the ground to the struggling Chris Johnson, and they gave the Titans five first downs because of penalties. And of course, it all started with a 79-yard punt return for a score, so it was truly an all-around lethargic performance in all three facets of the game. The coaches didn’t have the players prepared, but the players also have to take their share of the blame.
That was only the second time that the Panthers have lost by more than a touchdown, so you would like to think they’ll bounce back this week. Their 28th-ranked rushing defense should have a better week, but only because Detroit doesn’t run the ball. But they have to remain disciplined because the Lions also have a history of losing their cool; if they can manage to keep their head, Detroit will eventually lose theirs. But the Panthers have to improve across the board because their performance against Tennessee wasn’t close to good enough.
Why Bet On Detroit Lions (6-3 SU, 5-3-1 ATS)
Speaking of not being good enough, the Lions were thumped 37-13 in a loss at Chicago, their NFC North rivals and not only that, quarterback Matt Stafford sparked a brawl by dragging Bears’ cornerback D.J. Moore to the ground by his helmet after one of his four picks, two of which were run back for touchdowns. The Lions tempted fate by kicking to Devin Hester, who scored on a punt return and almost scored on another one. The Chicago offense really didn’t have to do much as they gained 216 yards, but Detroit gave them three first downs because of penalties. But the Lions’ offense was simply awful and you’ll never win a game with six turnovers. Stafford was 33-of-63 for 329 yards and a touchdown, but again, he had four picks. Even Calvin Johnson had a fumble in what was an incredibly disjointed effort from the Lions, especially in a big rivalry game against a team they’d already beaten.
Stafford (finger) has a fracture, which he says didn’t affect the way he threw, and Johnson (undisclosed) didn’t play in the last series of the game, although head coach Jim Schwartz may have held him out because there was no reason for him to play. Schwartz has to get this team playing with more discipline if they’re going to move up the NFL betting ladder. They have all the talent in the world, but when things go wrong, they just spiral for the Lions. From penalties to turnovers, Detroit shoot themselves in the foot and they can’t afford to make these dumb mistakes, especially in the NFC North with Green Bay and Chicago.
How It Will Play Out
Detroit is a 7-point NFL betting favorite in this intriguing NFC affair, and they’re 1-4 SU and 4-1 ATS in their last five meetings with the Panthers, with three games going over the posted total. Only one of the games was in Detroit, a 21-20 win for the Panthers in 2005, and it was barely over the posted total. You have the feeling that this will end up being a shootout with all of the offensive talent on the field.
Look for Newton to have a bounce-back game this week as he gets the upper hand in his matchup with Stafford, who is obviously hurting and even though he won’t blame his finger for his awful showing against the Bears, it has to be affecting him and if he doesn’t have Johnson, it’ll be a tough day for Stafford. Things are going downhill for the Lions, while the Panthers are just playing to improve for next year. Go with Carolina to at least cover the online betting spread.
Panthers Lions Betting Pick: Carolina Panthers