It took the Carolina Panthers a while but they finally resembled the Super Bowl team that went 15-1 during the 2015 regular season. Their slow start put them in a big hole and it will be an uphill climb to return to the postseason, but a whoopin of the Cardinals on Sunday could be the impetus to ignite a run. And facing the free-falling Los Angeles Rams in Week 9 is just what the Panthers need to keep rolling.
Watch this regular season Week 9 matchup live on Sunday, November 6, 2016, at 4:05 p.m. ET at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Carolina Panthers -3
Los Angeles Rams +3
Over/Under 45.5
Odds Analysis
Despite their woeful start, the Panthers aren’t about to throw in the towel on the season, and neither are their backers with over 80 percent of the early spread wagers in favor of the visitors. The Rams haven’t played a home game in a month and it’s safe to say the home field advantage doesn’t exist. The total was wagered down a half point from its opening of 46 and if you think the Panthers can penetrate the Rams defense, the over carries some value. I wouldn’t be surprised to see another slight dip in the over/under before kickoff.
Injury Report
Ryan Kalil – Carolina’s two-time All-Pro center suffered a shoulder injury during Sunday’s game and didn’t return. Kalil is the leader of the offensive line and his absence could have an impact on how the Rams front line operates. L.A. is getting its front back to health and they could be a force following the bye week.
Trumaine Johnson – The Rams’ shut down corner has missed the past two games with an ankle injury and it’s not known if he’ll be available for Sunday’s game, despite the bye week. Should the Panthers be able to slow the Rams pass rush, the secondary could be exploited without Johnson.
Matchup to Watch
For as good as Todd Gurley is, he still needs an offensive line to create some space and open holes, and that’s just not happening. Case Keenum has proved that he’s not capable of winning games by himself and if Gurley can’t find space, the Rams offense will continue to run in mud. Five of the six Rams’ linemen who have played significant snaps rank in the bottom half at their positions, according to Pro Football Focus. And that’s the main reason why Gurley is averaging just 3.0 yards per carry.
Carolina came up with the type of defensive effort on Sunday that we got used to seeing last season. Struggling to find a pass rush most of the season, the Panthers destroyed a decent Cardinals front and sacked Carson Palmer eight times with Star Lotulelei getting three of them. The secondary also got a boost with the return of cornerbacks Robert McLain and Leonard Johnson, which might have contributed to the sack total. This was the kind of game the Panthers needed to at least have hope for the rest of the year.
Free ATS Pick
Following Cam Newton’s outburst about not getting any protection from the officials, he just might get the benefit of the doubt on Sunday when the Rams go after him. You don’t have your reigning MVP make statements like Newton did and not have the league respond. But the Panthers responded to their four-game losing streak and 1-5 start by lambasting the Cardinals with a performance reminiscent of what they did last season.
Halfway through the season and we’re still not sure what the Rams have. This team has tipped the scales to both sides during the year and hasn’t found any consistency. We do know that the Rams won’t be able to go anywhere with Keenum at quarterback, but the risk of playing No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff is just too great right now with a questionable offensive line. The Rams were going to rely on their defense to win games, but that hasn’t worked out too well either. Carolina used the bye to regroup and make a final push. This is a game the Panthers need and they get it on the road.
NFL Odds: Panthers 26, Rams 21
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