Saints vs. Panthers Betting Preview 11/17/16 Thursday Night Football

Saints vs. Panthers Betting Preview

The Saints have been playing much better since they started off the season with three straight losses. They have gone 4-2 since and both losses were by a combined seven points including last week’s two point loss to Denver. They actually had a 17-10 lead midway through the fourth quarter before being out scored 15-6 the last nine minutes of the game. Quarterback Drew Brees is having another fine year passing as he is ranked second in the league with 2992 yards while throwing 24 touchdowns. But as it has been in the past, it’s their defense that is holding them back. They are ranked 26th in total defense and 30th in points allowed giving up over 29 points a game.

After making it to the Super Bowl last season, to say Carolina is having a disappointing season is an understatement. Last year the Panthers lost just one game during the regular season and they have already dropped six out of the nine games they have played this year. Their problems have been on offense and defense. Last season they averaged over 31 points a game on offense and held opponents below 20 points a game on defense. This year they average less than 25 points a game on offense and give up over 25 points a game on defense. The difference in stats between the two seasons probably explains four losses this year by 10 points total.

The oddsmakers have made the Panthers a three point favorite and put the total at 52. According to Covers.com Consensus Analysis 63% of the public like the way the Saints are playing and are backing New Orleans while a whopping 76% believe this game will be a shootout and are behind the over.

The total went over in the last four meetings between these teams.

Previous Meetings

10/16/16: Panthers 38 @ Saints 41
12/06/15: Panthers 41 @ Saints 38
09/27/15: Saints 22 @ Panthers 27

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