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The Panthers are 2-1 on the season but coming off a poor home loss to the New Orleans Saints. The Carolina offense has not been very good to start the year and that could be trouble as the team is facing off with one of the most potent scoring teams in the NFL in this one.
The Panthers are hard to peg and could very well make this a competitive game with all the talent they have scattered throughout the roster. Or they could lay an egg and the Patriots could cruise.
Kickoff for this regular season Week 3 game is set for Sunday, October 1, 2017, at 1 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium.
Opening NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Carolina Panthers +8.5
New England Patriots -8.5
Over/Under 47.5
Odds Analysis
The Panthers are more than touchdown underdogs, but that is actually showing them some respect considering the Texans were 13.5-point underdogs coming into New England last week. The money is pouring in on the Patriots at more than a 75 percent clip and this spread could continue to rise as the week goes along.
The scoring total is pretty high despite Carolina’s talented defense. New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees was able to slice it up last week and bettors are expecting Tom Brady to do the same, as the “over” is the much more popular choice.
Injury Report
Thomas Davis -- Carolina’s veteran star linebacker left the Week 3 contest against New Orleans with a rib injury. He is a tough competitor and one of the key guys on the Panthers defense, so he certainly wants to play in this big-time matchup, but it’s unknown if he will be ready.
Ryan Kalil -- The Panthers center missed the game against the Saints with a neck injury, and his status is also unclear. Carolina needs to move the ball well on the ground in this game and the full complement of offensive linemen would be a big boost.
Dont’a Hightower -- New England’s standout linebacker has missed the past two weeks with a knee injury after getting hurt in the season-opening loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He is not only a good player but also helps the defense get lined up on each play, so his presence is critical.
Key Stat
5. That was the deficit the Patriots faced heading into their final drive on Sunday, and unsurprisingly, Brady led another comeback. The decisive blow was a long touchdown pass to Brandin Cooks in which the offseason addition got his feet down in the end zone before falling out of bounds.
The Patriots had to scratch and claw for the victory, and it helped them avoid two consecutive losses at home to begin the season. New England isn’t running on all cylinders quite yet and the defense has had some issues, but New England escaped and now remains in a comfortable spot in the standings.
Free ATS Pick
The Panthers need more out of Newton if this game is to be competitive. He has thrown for just 554 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions through the first three games. The defense allowed only six combined points in wins over the 49ers and the Bills, but the Saints dominated through the air and the Patriots aren’t going to be slowed down either.
This is a bad matchup for Carolina, unless its running game overpowers the New England defense. That’s unlikely to happen, and Newton’s interceptions should increase once again in this one. Take the Patriots to cruise to the victory and cover the spread.
NFL Odds: Patriots 28, Panthers 16
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