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Panthers vs. Saints Prediction and Odds for Week 18 (New Orleans Can Finish Season on High Note)

By Josh Yourish

Jan 1, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23)
Jan 1, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23) / Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
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The Carolina Panthers fought hard and stayed alive for a division title about as long as a 6-10 team could have. Now, they’re fight is over.

Steve Wilks submitted an impressive resume for the Head Coaching job and a team that has been playing must-win games for weeks can exhale in defeat. New Orleans finds themselves at 7-9, but also eliminated from playoff contention. The Saints will host Carolina this week, with little on the line, unless of course you’re a gambler like myself. 

Let’s take a look at the odds, the trends, and I’ll give you my pick for this NFC South rivalry. 

Panthers vs. Saints Odds, Spread and Total

New Orleans and Carolina Betting Trends

  • New Orleans is 7-9 ATS
  • Carolina is 8-8 ATS
  • The under is 10-6 in New Orleans games
  • The over is 4-0 in Carolina’s last four games

Panthers vs. Saints Prediction and Pick

Neither team has anything to play for, but Carolina does have something to tank for in this game. The Saints stupidly traded their first round pick away last year, so Philly is going to get a pick in the top half of this upcoming draft. However, Carolina held onto theirs and while Sam Darnold has looked much improved, they could still be in the market for a QB. Even if they’re happy with Darnold, they still would rather lose this week.

With a win, they could fall to as low as the 13th pick and with a loss they could slide as high as No. 6 overall. That’s a massive swing and incentive to let Andy Dalton and the Saints roll at home. 

Last week, New Orleans beat Gardner Minshew and Philadelphia by limiting the run game and letting Minshew make mistakes. That exact gameplan is how to beat Carolina and Darnold. Last week, Tampa Bay shut down the Panthers running attack and Darnold couldn’t outduel Brady. Maybe he can take down Dalton, but if I’m David Tepper I’m making the call down to the sideline and making sure we don’t screw up and win this game. For that reason alone, I like New Orleans, then you factor how well the Saints defense matches up and the emotional letdown from last week and I love the Saints to cover at home. 

Follow all Josh Yourish’s bets HERE

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change

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