PREMIUM
Rogers' *10* NFL Thursday Night MASSACRE >> 5-0-1 Wednesday!
(NFL) New Orleans vs. Carolina,
Total: 53.00 | -110.00 Over
Result: Win
Total: 53.00 | -110.00 Over
Result: Win
The 3-6 Carolina Panthers host the 4-5 New Orleans Saints on Thursday night and both NFC South rivals find themselves "on the brink." Neither team has any time to bemoan their latest misfortunes. The Saints were primed to knock off the Denver Broncos on Sunday but instead of a go-ahead extra-point kick, the attempt was blocked and returned for a two-point defensive conversion, resulting in a 25-23 New Orleans' loss. As for the Panthers, they blew a 17-point lead and had two fourth-quarter turnovers that allowed the Kansas City Chiefs to escape with a 20-17 victory, winning on a FG with 0:00 left on the clock. I'd say ONE team has to win Thursday night but we've already had three OT ties in NFL 2016.
New Orleans: The ageless Drew Brees is completing 69.9 percent for 322.7 YPG, which leaves the Saints No. 1 in passing yards. He's got 24 TDs and just 7 INTs, giving him a 107.7 QB rating. WR Brandin Cooks enjoyed a career day in his previous encounter with Carolina, highlighting his career-high 173-yard performance with an 87-yard touchdown. That score began a string of four TDs in the last five game, as Cooks leads the team with six TDs and 694 yards receiving on 44 catches. Also fellow WR Michael Thomas leads rookies in catches (51), receiving yards (613) and TD receptions (five) plus Willie Snead, a former member of the Panthers' practice squad, had two TDs on Sunday to give him four on the season among his 40 catches. New Orleans does all of this (averaging 29.4 PPG to rank 2nd) with a running game that produces just 105.1 YPG (16th) on 4.1 YPC. The defense is another story, as it ranks 30th in points allowed (29.2 per) on 400.6 YPG (29th).
Carolina: As all know, the Panthers were 15-1 last year and reached the Super Bowl, so explaining this year's 3-6 record is not easy. However, a good place to start is that Carolina's 19 giveaways are tied for third-worst in the NFL and the team's TO margin of minus-7 is 4th-worst. Newton is not the dominating presence he was last season as the league MVP, as the offense has gone from a league-best 31.3 PPG in 2015, to scoring 24.6 PPG in 2016, to rank 12th. The defense, hardly helped by all the giveaways, has gone from allowing 19.3 PPG to giving up 25.1 PPG (23rd). Any Super Bowl hangover for the Panthers is far in the past because the team is in danger of missing the playoffs altogether this season. "There's no need to panic," Carolina quarterback Cam Newton said. "When you look at it, whatever our record is, it's not good. But yet we have a locker room full of winners and a locker room full of guys full of fight and I know I am willing to go to battle with those guys. I can't wait until Thursday."
The pick: Both teams still have some long-shot hopes in the NFC South, as the Falcons are again wobbling after a strong start. Atlanta opened 5-0 in 2015 only to finish 8-8 and after starting 4-1 in 2016, Atlanta's loss at Philly last Sunday leaves them at 6-4. The Saints are just one game back in the loss column and the Panthers two games back. When these teams met in Week 6, it was a 41-38 shootout. This time around, expect a much lower scoring game. Note that Carolina's last two games have been a 13-10 win and a 20-17. The Under is a 10* play.
New Orleans: The ageless Drew Brees is completing 69.9 percent for 322.7 YPG, which leaves the Saints No. 1 in passing yards. He's got 24 TDs and just 7 INTs, giving him a 107.7 QB rating. WR Brandin Cooks enjoyed a career day in his previous encounter with Carolina, highlighting his career-high 173-yard performance with an 87-yard touchdown. That score began a string of four TDs in the last five game, as Cooks leads the team with six TDs and 694 yards receiving on 44 catches. Also fellow WR Michael Thomas leads rookies in catches (51), receiving yards (613) and TD receptions (five) plus Willie Snead, a former member of the Panthers' practice squad, had two TDs on Sunday to give him four on the season among his 40 catches. New Orleans does all of this (averaging 29.4 PPG to rank 2nd) with a running game that produces just 105.1 YPG (16th) on 4.1 YPC. The defense is another story, as it ranks 30th in points allowed (29.2 per) on 400.6 YPG (29th).
Carolina: As all know, the Panthers were 15-1 last year and reached the Super Bowl, so explaining this year's 3-6 record is not easy. However, a good place to start is that Carolina's 19 giveaways are tied for third-worst in the NFL and the team's TO margin of minus-7 is 4th-worst. Newton is not the dominating presence he was last season as the league MVP, as the offense has gone from a league-best 31.3 PPG in 2015, to scoring 24.6 PPG in 2016, to rank 12th. The defense, hardly helped by all the giveaways, has gone from allowing 19.3 PPG to giving up 25.1 PPG (23rd). Any Super Bowl hangover for the Panthers is far in the past because the team is in danger of missing the playoffs altogether this season. "There's no need to panic," Carolina quarterback Cam Newton said. "When you look at it, whatever our record is, it's not good. But yet we have a locker room full of winners and a locker room full of guys full of fight and I know I am willing to go to battle with those guys. I can't wait until Thursday."
The pick: Both teams still have some long-shot hopes in the NFC South, as the Falcons are again wobbling after a strong start. Atlanta opened 5-0 in 2015 only to finish 8-8 and after starting 4-1 in 2016, Atlanta's loss at Philly last Sunday leaves them at 6-4. The Saints are just one game back in the loss column and the Panthers two games back. When these teams met in Week 6, it was a 41-38 shootout. This time around, expect a much lower scoring game. Note that Carolina's last two games have been a 13-10 win and a 20-17. The Under is a 10* play.
