Carolina at New Orleans

In predicting the Panthers win last week, I noted that the Carolina's resurrgence had yet to be noticed by the league or sports bettors. I predicted that after they beat Tampa Bay, the secret would be out. I was wrong. They still aren't getting the respect they deserve in this one. Carolina is better than New Orleans and is riding a run of solid play and confidence. They should be favored. Instead, we get a very hot team getting points against a poor team. Hallelujah! Despite Carolina's early season troubles this year (they started 1-7 SU and 3-5 ATS), they have actually been amazing on the road. They are 4-1 against the number this year away rom home. The Panthers are also 11-2 ATS as a road underdog of a touchdown or less while New Orleans is 1-6 at home vs. division opponents. But let's get back to these teams' recent performances. Carolina is a different team than the one that started 1-7. Over their past three games, all SU and ATS winners, they are averaging 31 points per game and surrendering just 17. New Orleans, on the other hand, has lost by an average score of 20-30 over their past four games. Against good defenses this year (TB, SD, DEN), the Saints haven't scored more than 17 points. The Panthers, behind a hot Jake Delhomme/Mushin Muhammed combination and a rediscovered Nick Goings, will score more than that today against the league's worst defense. Goings has gained 227 yards over the past two games alone. The Panthers believe while the Saints know they aren't going to make it this year. Five stars (5% of your bankroll) on the Panthers plus 1.5 here.