The offensively challenged Carolina Panthers are in need of a less-than-imposing defense. Are the Tennessee Titans just that opponent? Let’s break down this matchup and see if the Panthers can get win No. 2 or if the Titans open their homestand with a victory.
Panthers vs. Titans Betting Lines, Start Time, and More
All odds from DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Spread: Titans -3.5
- Moneyline: Panthers (+150), Titans (-180)
- Over/Under: 36.5
- Game time: 1:00Â p.m. ET
- Location: Nissan Stadium
- Channel: FOX
Panthers vs. Titans Prediction
As this season has progressed, the Panthers’ biggest criticisms from NFL circles have been about moves that Carolina didn’t make.
The Panthers didn’t retain interim head coach Steve Wilks after he led the team to a 6-6 mark over the final 12 games last season. Instead, Carolina hired Frank Reich, who has led the Panthers to only one win so far.
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And, perhaps the biggest criticism the Panthers have faced as the season has gone is the fact that they didn’t select C.J. Stroud with the No. 1 overall pick in last spring’s NFL Draft. Instead, they chose former Alabama quarterback Bryce Young.
Fair or unfair, the facts are the Panthers enter this weekend with the league’s worst record and three straight road games coming up — they may hold that distinction for a few more weeks.
Meanwhile, the Titans are back home after three straight road games, all losses. Their own rookie starting quarterback, Will Levis, has had his predictable ups and downs in his four starts. He’s had two starts where his passer rating didn’t reach 70, and he’s had two where it topped 130.
Now, Levis returns home, where he made his NFL debut one month ago, and it was a memorable one. Playing against another opponent from the NFC South — the Falcons — Levis threw four touchdowns, did not have an interception, and finished with a passer rating of 130.5 in his first NFL start.
Running back Derrick Henry, who appeared to be back to his old self just a few weeks ago, has struggled of late, rushing for 62 total yards and 2.95 yards a carry over his last two games.
Since returning from its bye week, Carolina has been held under 20 points in all four games, and they’ve had five straight outings producing fewer than 300 total yards. However, The schedule hasn’t been kind to the Panthers. Of their last six opponents, three — the Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, and Dallas Cowboys — are each 8-3, while another — the Houston Texans — are 6-4.
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Tennessee should be able to produce some points now that it is home. The Titans have only scored 20 or more points three times, but all three have come at home and were 27 or more. Additionally, Henry’s four games in which he’s run for at least 80 yards have all come at home.
On the injury front, Tennesse wide receiver Treylon Burks will miss a third straight game as he continues to recover from his concussion from back in Week 9. The Titans will also be without offensive tackle Chris Hubbard for the rest of the season because of a biceps injury.
Carolina’s injury situation is a lot busier. Tight end Hayden Hurst (concussion) remains out, but the biggest news is in the secondary. Cornerback Jaycee Horn, who has been out the last nine games because of a hamstring injury, is doubtful for this week, while CJ Henderson is also doubtful, as he was unable to get cleared from the concussion protocol.
On the betting trends side, the Titans are back home, where they are 3-0 against the spread. Carolina, meanwhile, is 1-7-2 vs. the spread overall and 0-4-1 against the spread as a road team.
Sunday is the first of three straight road games for the Panthers, who are 0-5 away from home, with four of those five losses by 10 or more points. It’s difficult to see the Panthers keeping this game close, so the hook doesn’t bother me in this situation.
Best Bet: Titans -3.5 (-108 at DraftKings Sportsbook)
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