NFL betting – Panthers will ground the high-flying Cards
- WHO: Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers (-10)
- WHAT: NFL betting
- WHEN: Saturday, January 10 at 8:15 p.m. ET
- WHERE: Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC
- KEY STATS: Arizona is 2-5 as an underdog against the spread and 1-6 outright as an underdog this season; Carolina is 10-1 straight up as a favorite this season
- PICK: Panthers (-10)
After shocking NFL betting fans with what was arguably an upset over the Falcons at home, the Arizona Cardinals (9-7 in the regular season) travel to Carolina to face the mighty Panthers (12-4). While the Cardinals vs Panthers odds may not look scary for anyone looking to pick a winner outright, sportsbook odds favor the Panthers by 10, making the Cardinals vs Panthers spread a tricky one.
Arizona made a major statement to the NFL and NFL betting fans alike in Saturday’s win – on both sides of the football. Against a solid Falcons defense, Kurt Warner and the Cards’ second-ranked passing attack moved the ball well, totaling 271 yards through the air. Wideout Larry Fitzgerald was unstoppable and Arizona’s O-line didn’t allow a single sack. More surprising was Arizona’s running game, which posted 86 yards – hardly an impressive total but more than enough for a Cards unit that ranked last in the NFL in yards per game this year.
Now, the ’Zona offense, which was surprisingly effective last week, faces a much weaker Panthers D, which ranked 16th against the pass and 20th against the run this season. It doesn’t take a brilliant NFL betting player to know that Arizona will post some points on Saturday.
The biggest surprise of last Saturday’s win: the mediocre Cards run defense holding Pro Bowler Michael Turner to 42 yards on 18 carries. Not many NFL betting fans expected that.
Can Arizona duplicate its success against Carolina’s formidable running game, which features the two-headed monster of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart? I’m guessing no. With respect to Jerious Norwood, Atlanta couldn’t change pace the way Carolina can with Williams and Stewart. The Cards, who allowed 115 rushing yards per game on the road this year, will have their hands full. Since the Jake Delhomme/Steve Smith connection can also keep opponents honest, the Cards could have their hands full on the Cardinals vs Panthers line.
The ultimate deciding factor in this NFL betting matchup: home field. First, Carolina is 8-0 at home this season; that stat speaks for itself. Secondly, Arizona has been atrocious on the road this season. A 3-5 mark isn’t terrible, but the three wins came against St. Louis, San Francisco and Seattle. Online sports betting fans need to remember that Arizona went 0-5 against New England, Philadelphia, the Jets, Washington and, of course, Carolina this season on the road. They seem to crumble amidst the noise of a hostile crowd.
STAN’S PICK: NFL betting fans need to tread carefully; this game should be a barn burner and Arizona has a chance to beat the spread. Ultimately, though, the balanced Panthers offense will team with the home crowd to pummel the Cards into submission. Bet online for the Panthers to end Arizona’s dream season.
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Stan Simmons first tasted football through the college game, but his football handicapping has strictly focused on the professional sport. Not many people devote as much time to the NFL as Simmons. For six days a week he works, labors and handicaps the sport, and on the seventh he rests as the games play out. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
