The Carolina Panthers are starting their third quarterback of the season, as Sam Darnold will get the call when the Panthers host the Denver Broncos on Sunday. Baker Mayfield went 21 of 33 for the Panthers last week for only 196 yards and a pair of picks, and P.J. Walker remains out, so the Panthers are giving Darnold a chance this time around. The Broncos lost in overtime to Las Vegas last week, 22-16, as Russell Wilson had his third game in 2022 without a touchdown pass. Let’s take a closer look at this interconference matchup as you plan your NFL betting for this weekend.
NFL Preview: Denver Broncos at Carolina Panthers
(Sunday, November 27)
When: Sunday, November 27, 2022, 1:00 pm ET
Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
TV: FOX
Radio: KOA 850 AM Denver / WRFX 99.7 FM Charlotte
Live Stream: Sling TV
NFL Odds: Denver -2 / O/U 36 // Denver -130 / Carolina +110
Why should you bet on Denver?
Denver (3-7) has been brutal away from Mile High Stadium, losing all four of their road games. Russell Wilson has been a major part of the problem, completing just 59.5 percent of his passes on the season, posting a 7:5 TD:INT ratio. His top targets have been Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton, who have combined for four of those seven touchdowns, and Kendall Hinton, infamously forced into action as a quarterback during the COVID-19 pandemic, has 13 catches as well. On the ground, Melvin Gordon III is the top gainer with 318 yards and two scores, but he is not expected to contribute on Sunday.
The Denver defense has been stout, permitting just 17.1 points per game. Dre’Mont Jones has 5 ½ sacks on the season, and Caden Sterns has a pair of interceptions. Alex Singleton is the top tackler with 82. The Broncos have covered just twice in their last eight road games, but the reason they are the favorites here has to do with the Panthers giving the ball to Darnold. The Broncos should be able to pressure him, so if you like Denver here, you see them forcing turnovers and getting enough short fields to get a lead.
Why should you put your money on the Panthers?
The Panthers (3-8) have split their last six games at Bank of America Stadium. D.J. Moore and Terrace Marshall Jr have scored four receiving touchdowns between them. On the ground, the Panthers gain 110.5 yards per game, and De’Onta Foreman has posted three 100-yard games since Christian McCaffrey was traded to San Francisco and leads Panther backs with 450 yards, with four touchdowns.
The Panther defense has permitted 23.3 points per game. Shaq Thompson is the top caller with 83, and Brian Burns has led a fierce pass rush with eight sacks. Donte Jackson leads the team with two interceptions. Carolina has actually covered the spread in four of their last five games, but just seven times in their last 26 games at home. If you like Carolina, you see Darnold showing some motivation at getting his start and leading the offense despite the strength of the Denver defense.
Final Score and Prediction
I’ve been waiting for Sam Darnold to show that he can be a franchise quarterback in the NFL, and taking on a moribund Denver team might be the right place to do it. Denver comes in as a road favorite despite not being particularly impressive at any point this year. I see the Panthers running over a dispirited Denver team and winning, 17-13.
NFL Betting Odds
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