NFL ATS Picks - Carolina Panthers at New York Jets Game Preview

The NFC South is one of the most competitive divisions in football, and the Carolina Panthers are squarely in that mix. They will aim to keep pace with the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons by emerging victorious in their Week 12 clash against the New York Jets.

Even though the Jets lack high-end talent, they have been surprisingly competitive this season, coming in with a 4-6 record. New York is at home for this matchup and will aim to give the Panthers a scare and possibly even come away with the win.

The Panthers need this game badly as the playoff race heats up but it is no given against a game Jets squad.

This contest in Week 12 of the regular season will go down Sunday, November 26, 2017, at 1 p.m. ET at MetLife Stadium.

Opening NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu

Carolina Panthers -4.5
New York Jets +4.5
Over/Under 39.5

Odds Analysis

The Panthers are solid road favorites and the betting public believes they should be even bigger ones, as Carolina is getting more than 86 percent of the early action against the spread. Don’t be surprised if the line moves higher in the coming days if the money continues to pour in on Carolina.

The scoring total is low for an NFL game as both teams have strong defenses. The “over” is the more popular play thus far as a defensive touchdown or a big turnover that results in good field position could have a big effect on the “over” hitting.

Injury Report

Greg Olsen — The Panthers tight end broke his foot in Week 2 and has been on injured reserve ever since, but Carolina could get him back this week. Olsen told the media that he expects to return to practice this week and hopes to suit up against the Jets. Olsen is a three-time Pro Bowler and has had 1,000-plus receiving yards the last three seasons in a row.

Curtis Samuel — The Panthers wide receiver is out for rest of year with a torn ligament in his ankle. He suffered the injury in Carolina’s win over the Dolphins in Week 10 and it was announced during the team’s bye week last week that the 21-year-old would undergo season-ending surgery.

Matt Forte — The Jets running back is dealing with a knee injury that kept him out of the team’s most recent game. New York is coming off a bye, which should be a big help as Forte tries to get back to full health. Bilal Powell is getting the majority of the carries at this point anyway, but Forte is a versatile veteran who adds value in the backfield.

Key Stat

294.5. That’s the average number of yards the Panthers are giving up per game this season, which is among the best marks in the NFL. Carolina’s defense took a step back last year after being a dominant unit in 2015, and now has returned to its stingy ways.

Linebacker Luke Kuechly is among the standouts in the group. Carolina is allowing 213.9 yards per game through the air and 80.6 yards per game on the ground, which are both impressive marks. The Jets only average 328.9 yards per game, and they could really be in trouble in this one.

If the Panthers can get a lead, it will put Jets quarterback Josh McCown in a bad spot, and the Carolina defense figures to take advantage.

Free ATS Pick

The Jets have overachieved thus far but the talent gulf in this one is just too big. If New York can run the ball and keep McCown out of harm’s way, maybe this one can stay close, but the Panthers just have too much superior talent on both sides of the ball.

The road game is always concerning, but Carolina is playing well at this point in the season. Take the Panthers to not only win this game but to do so by covering the spread. The money is coming in hard on Carolina to cover, and it’s easy to see why.

NFL Odds: Panthers 24, Jets 17

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