Prediction 1
New Orleans to cover -2.5 vs. Carolina Spread
(-110)
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Prediction 2
Chris Olave over 40.5 rec yards vs CAR Prop bet
(-120)
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Saints vs. Panthers Week 3 matchup preview and current betting lines
New Orleans (1-1) and Carolina (0-2) faceoff in a contest that can boost one team to above .500 and sink the other to 0-3. Both teams are hoping for a miracle division title but it will be difficult to knock off Tampa Bay and Tom Brady.
The Saints are coming off a 20-10 loss at the Superdome to the Buccaneers while the Panthers will try to bounce back after a 19-16 defeat at the hands of the Giants. This contest showcases a battle between two former No. 1 overall picks Baker Mayfield and Jameis Winston. Both also won the Heisman Trophy.
The professional journeys for the two have been bumpy with each player having played for two teams. Mayfield has a career record of 30-32 and Winston’s is 38-47.
The expectations for each club are different at the moment. Carolina is in must-win mode, especially for head coach Matt Rhule and Mayfield. Rhule has an atrocious 10-25 record with Carolina and has yet to reach the playoffs. Should the former Baylor coach not make the postseason, he’ll likely be fired during or after the season. If Mayfield continues to struggle, he’ll have to find a new team for next season and probably be a backup.
Oddsmakers on BetMGM set the moneyline to New Orleans -149 and Carolina +125. The spread favors New Orleans by 2.5 points. Both teams are 0-2 against the spread this season. 62% of the bets made by the public are on Carolina to cover.
Players to watch in the New Orleans vs. Carolina contest
New Orleans
Michael Thomas: The former Pro Bowl wide receiver has been injury plagued the last two years but is off to a hot start in 2022. Thomas has 11 catches for 122 yards and three touchdowns. Winston will continue to look for his WR1 as the season progresses.
Carolina
DJ Moore: After posting three 1,000-yard seasons in a row, Moore hasn’t been put in situations to succeed with Mayfield under center. The team’s main target out wide only has six receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown through two weeks. Rhule will surely try and utilize his weapon better against New Orleans.
Our NFL bet of the week for the Saints vs. Panthers
ESTNN is giving bettors two free picks for this game.
New Orleans vs Carolina Spread: Saints -2.5 @ -115
It will be a tough task for Mayfield to dissect the Saints’ defense. The Oklahoma product sits at 32nd in the league with a 23.6 quarterback rating and has completed 53.6% of his pass attempts.
New Orlean’s defense is allowing 23 points per game and hasn’t played as well as last season (19.7 ppg) but should round into form. The unit is currently 11th in the NFL against the pass allowing 201.5 yards per game.
The Saints are currently fourth against the run, limiting opposing running backs to 93.5 yards per outing. If the team is able to reign in Christian McCaffrey, it’ll force Mayfield into mistakes.
The Saints’ secondary is led by lockdown corner Marshon Lattimore and safety Tyrann Mathieu. The team’s front seven, which includes Cameron Jordan, Marcus Davenport and DeMario Davis, should apply plenty of pressure on Mayfield.
New Orleans’ defense limited the Bucs’ offense last week to only 13 points. One of Tampa’s touchdowns came from a 68-yard pick-six.
Interceptions have been Winston’s nemesis throughout his career. He has 94 interceptions since entering the league in 2015. If the 28-year-old plays a slightly above-average game and finds his playmakers, which include rookie first-rounder Chris Olave and veteran slot receiver Jarvis Landry, the team should leave Charlotte with a win.
Carolina is 0-7 against the spread in its last seven home games and New Orleans is 4-1 straight up in its previous five contests on the road against Carolina. Our pick at ESTNN is to take the Saints to cover the 2.5-point spread.
Saints vs. Panthers odds: Chris Olave over 40.5 receiving yards @ -120
The 40.5 receiving yardage total for Chris Olave seems too low. The Saints traded up to 11th in this year’s draft to make him one of their primary weapons. That has been the case so far. The 22-year-old has gone over 40.5 yards in both games, with 41 yards in his debut vs. Atlanta and 80 yards last week. Olave has been targeted 16 times which is one less than Thomas (17).
We believe Olave will go over the 40.5-yard mark Sunday. If you’re interested in learning about more prop bets for week 1, read our NFL player props page.
Frequently asked questions regarding New Orleans vs. Carolina in week 3
The Panthers’ inaugural season was in 1995. The team finished 7-9 that year which is an all-time best record for an expansion team in its first season.
If you’re wanting to see other game lines, then read our NFL Odds for this week page for more information.
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