Point spread, total, money line, injury report and more for Saints-Panthers in Week 17

This game features the tale of two teams in massively different positions. The Saints are locked into the playoffs while the Panthers are trying to figure out who they are and who’ll be throwing for them next season. The Saints enter this game as the second seed in the NFC and don’t have much to play for in this game. Alvin Kamara finally had his breakout game last week and now has an excellent matchup to keep that rolling into the playoffs. The Panthers allow an average of 127 rushing yards and a league-leading 25 rushing touchdowns on the year. For reference, the Jaguars and Seahawks are tied for the second most allowed, which sits at a total of 16. The Panthers secondary, which was dominant to begin the year, has crumbled as well. Not a great time to have issues in your secondary when Michael Thomas is coming to town. The newfound record holder for single season receptions, Thomas can feast on a team allowing an average of 180 receiving yards to opposing receivers per game. When the Saints have been favored, they own a 6-4 record ATS.

As mentioned, the Panthers are more focused on next season than they are now. Will Grier will make his second-straight start despite his unimpressive debut against the Colts. Throwing for 224 yards on 27 completions, Grier was picked off three times and didn’t throw for a touchdown. The Saints have been a team you can throw on but the Panthers could be without one of their best weapons in DJ Moore, who was placed in the concussion protocol in Week 16. That would leave Grier with the likes of Curtis Samuel, Chris Hogan and Jarius Wright. Of course, Christian McCaffrey is still in the mix but the Saints have been one of the better run defenses in the league. On the year, they’ve allowed an average of 67 rushing and 34 receiving yards, both of which are amongst the lowest in the league. Opposing backs have only scored 10 times against the Saints but none have done it multiple times in a game at this position. As underdogs, the Panthers are only 3-5-1 ATS.

All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.

Saints at Panthers

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Panthers +13
Total Points: 47.5
Money Line: Saints -590; Panthers +480

Records

Overall: Saints 12-3; Panthers 5-10
ATS: Saints 10-5; Panthers 6-8-1
O/U: Saints 8-7; Panthers 10-5

Injury Report

Saints

Players to watch: CB Eli Apple (ankle), S Vonn Bell (knee), WR Krishawn Hogan (hamstring), S Marcus Williams (groin), LB Kiko Alonso (quadricep), G Andrus Peat (forearm), WR Michael Thomas (hand), G Larry Warford (knee), QB Drew Brees (knee), S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (forearm, hip)

Panthers

Players to watch: LB Marquis Haynes (knee), WR D.J. Moore (concussion), LB Shaq Thompson (foot), S Tre Boston (shoulder), TE Greg Olsen (knee), LB Brian Burns (shoulder), DT Woodrow Hamilton (illness), DT Kyle Love (ankle), DT Gerald McCoy (knee), LB Andre Smith (ankle), TE Ian Thomas (ankle)

Betting Trends

• The Panthers have lost each of their last eight home games against NFC opponents.
• The underdogs have covered the spread in 10 of the last 11 games between the Saints and Panthers.
• Eight of the last nine day games between the Saints and Panthers have gone OVER the total points line.
• Jared Cook has scored at least one touchdown in each of the Saints’ last four Sunday games.
• Michael Thomas has scored a touchdown in five of the Saints’ last six day games.
• Christian McCaffrey has scored at least one touchdown in six of the Panthers’ last seven games as underdogs against NFC opponents.

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