Remember when the Carolina Panthers were 3-0? That seems like it was about a year ago. Since then, Sam Darnold has had a concussion, gotten benched and hurt his shoulder, leaving P.J. Walker and Matt Barkley as the available quarterbacks on the roster. Today, the Panthers (4-5) signed Cam Newton to come back to town, although Walker will get the start against Arizona. The Cardinals (8-1) will likely start Colt McCoy again at quarterback rather than rush Kyler Murray back from his ankle injury. The Cardinals beat San Francisco last week with McCoy at the helm and should feel comfortable winning again.
Can they cover that double-digit spread? Check out our NFL betting thoughts on this NFC matchup.
NFL Preview: Carolina Panthers at Arizona Cardinals (Sunday, November 14)
When: Sunday, November 14, 2021, 4:05 pm ET
Where: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ
TV: FOX
Radio: WBT 1110 AM Charlotte / KMVP 98.7 FM Phoenix
Live Stream: Hulu
NFL Odds: Arizona -10.5 / O/U 44 // Arizona -475 / Carolina +360
Why should you bet on the Panthers?
It’s hard to argue for picking Carolina this week, as they have dropped five of six. Last week, they were 3 ½-point underdogs against New England but did not come close to covering, losing 24-6. Sam Darnold went 16 of 33 for 172 yards with no touchdowns — and with three interceptions. Christian McCaffrey returned, with 106 all-purpose yards. When Darnold went down with a fractured scapula, the offense continued to struggle as the Pats’ defense dared Carolina to throw the ball.
The defense for Carolina was decent against New England, as they snagged an interception and sacked Mac Jones twice. They rank in the top ten in the NFL in total sacks and sacks per game, and they are also in the top ten in fewest points permitted (20.3). However, as the offense continues to struggle and the time of possession battle continues to tilt in the direction of the opposition, that will wear on the defense as the season goes by. Even with McCoy leading the Arizona offense, the Cardinals can still run the ball well — and McCoy has shown that he can complete big passes.
Why should you put your money on the Cardinals?
Arizona went to San Francisco as 5 ½-point underdogs, with neither Kyler Murray nor DeAndre Hopkins in the lineup, but they whipped the 49ers by 14 points. McCoy put up big numbers, going 22 of 26 for 249 yards and a touchdown pass. Tailback James Conner ran for 96 yards, scoring twice on the ground, and he caught five balls for 77 more yards — and another score. Christian Kirk stepped up in the receiving game, catching all six balls that were thrown his way for 91 yards.
The defense was also stout, sacking Jimmy Garoppolo five times and grabbing an interception. P.J. Walker is not the most mobile of quarterbacks, and if the Cards can keep up that level of pressure, then they should be able to force at least one more turnover this week. If you like the Cardinals to cover, you see their defense simply overwhelming Carolina.
Final Score and Betting Prediction
I have been impressed with what Matt Rhule has been able to do with the Carolina defense, but the offense still has yet to take off, even when Christian McCaffrey has been healthy. I predict that Arizona will take charge of the game early and roll to a 27-10 win.
Carolina Panthers at Arizona Cardinals: Bet the Game Today
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