The Carolina Panthers enter Week One of the 2017 regular season looking for some real redemption. They opened the 2016 campaign with a 1-5 start before figuring things well enough to finish 6-10 — but that was far below their expectations, given that their 2015 season took them all the way to Super Bowl 50. The 49ers are still mired in a rebuilding campaign; a year ago, they went just 2-14 and are probably a couple of seasons away from contending, at least. They look to get a fresh start this Sunday against the Panthers. The 49ers could have a chance to beat the Panthers in the NFL odds, which right now states Carolina is the -5.5 betting favorite.
The San Francisco defense remains a real work under construction. Safety Jimmie Ward (hamstring) remains questionable, but if there is a linchpin to that 49er defense, it is his work in the backfield. In 2016, the 49ers finished last in the NFL as far as total defense went. With Ward on the field, San Francisco ranked #14 against the pass, but if he has to miss the game, things could get ugly in a hurry.
Carolina at San Francisco NFL Odds, Betting Preview & Expert Pick
When: Saturday, September 9, 2017, 10:30 PM ET Where: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA TV: FOX Radio: WBT 1110 AM (Charlotte) / KNBR 680 AM (San Francisco) Live Stream: NFL Live NFL Odds: Carolina -5.5, O/U 48 Weather ForecastOn Sunday, WE ROAR. Join us with @NFLtixExchange » https://t.co/yfXYGQv47M pic.twitter.com/DhEKhA4Vhl
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) September 7, 2017
- Clear: 31°C/88°F
- Humidity: 37%
- Precipitation: 0%
- Cloud Cover: 23%
- Wind: 11 mph WNW
- Stadium Type: Open
Why Should you Bet on the Panthers?
Cam Newton returns ready and rejuvenated — and with a repaired rotator cuff on his throwing shoulder. He only appeared in one series during the preseason, as coach Ron Rivera wanted to keep him from any risk of injury, but that series went 75 yards on 10 plays and ended up with a touchdown pass. Newton faced criticism for his lack of leadership skills, both in the aftermath of Super Bowl 50 and in the difficult times last year. I suspect that he’s ready to get the narrative back in his favor with the opener. Carolina had one of the NFL’s best defenses in 2015, but a year ago they had a hard time getting stops in key situations, particularly in the first half of the season. They figured things out as the season came along, but even that 5-5 finish over the last 10 games was well below the team’s expectations. Carolina’s defense looked up and down during the preseason, but a couple of solid drives from the starting offense against an overmatched San Francisco defense should give the Panthers the momentum they need to win this game.Why Should You Put Your Money on the 49ers?
When these two teams met a year ago, the Panthers just ran roughshod over that 49er defense, rolling to a 46-27 win. Newton threw for 353 yards and four scores — and that would be the only win the Panthers would pick up in their first six games. Last year, the 49ers were starting Blaine Gabbert at quarterback, but now they have moved on to journeyman Brian Hoyer. One thing about Hoyer is that he usually impresses in his first few games before opposing defenses figure him out — and he goes back to that habit of throwing interceptions at just the wrong time for his team. If you like San Francisco here, you see Hoyer getting off to his usual hot start — too hot for the Panthers to keep up.
The San Francisco defense remains a real work under construction. Safety Jimmie Ward (hamstring) remains questionable, but if there is a linchpin to that 49er defense, it is his work in the backfield. In 2016, the 49ers finished last in the NFL as far as total defense went. With Ward on the field, San Francisco ranked #14 against the pass, but if he has to miss the game, things could get ugly in a hurry.
Series History
- Total Meetings: 20
- First Meeting: November 5th, 1995. 3com Park. San Francisco, California
- Last Meeting: September 18th, 2016. Bank of America. Charlotte, North Carolina
- All-Time Series: Carolina 12-8-0
- Largest Margin of Victory: San Francisco 31-10 (1995)
- Longest Win Streak: Tied 4
- Current Win Streak: Carolina 1 (2016)
Latest NFL Odds Trends
- Carolina is 4-2 ATS in the last 6 games
- Carolina is 2-4 SU in the last 6 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Carolina’s last 9 games
- San Francisco is 3-11-1 ATS in the last 15 games
- San Francisco is 1-14 SU in the last 15 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Francisco’s last 6 games
