TNF Betting Preview: Saints at Panthers

With both sides coming off losses, the New Orleans Saints and the Carolina Panthers are desperate for a win to remain in the playoff hunt when the NFC South rivals clash on Thursday Night Football.

The Saints were a 3-point favorite last week in a 25-23 loss to the Denver Broncos. The loss was an odd one, as the Broncos scored the winning two points after returning a blocked extra point attempt.

Drew Brees passed for 303 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions in the loss for New Orleans. Brandin Cooks had three receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown and Willie Snead had a pair of TD receptions.

Carolina blew a 17-3 halftime lead last week in a 20-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs as a 3-point favorite. With the loss the Panthers dropped to 2-5 SU and 1-5-1 ATS in their last seven.

Cam Newton passed for 261 yards with a touchdown strike, interception and a TD run for Carolina. Jonathan Stewart was limited to 39 yards rushing on 13 carries.

In Week 6 the Saints edged the Panthers 41-38 as a 2.5-point home underdog. Brees torched the Panthers for 465 yards and four touchdown passes in the upset. Cooks had seven receptions for 173 yards and a touchdown.

Newton passed for 322 yards with two touchdowns, an interception and a TD run. Greg Olsen led the Panthers with six catches for 94 yards.

With the Week 6 loss the Panthers are 3-1 straight up and 1-3 against the spread in their last four games versus the Saints. In this matchup the visiting team is 21-9 ATS in the last 30 games.

In this week’s rematch the Panthers are a 4-point favorite at the Bovada sportsbook. In their last 20 games as a favorite of four points or less Carolina is 15-5 SU.

The Saints have been a money-maker on the road having won six straight ATS. New Orleans is also 6-1 ATS in their last seven versus teams from the NFC South.

Carolina is 2-3 SU and ATS at home this season, and all three losses have come as the favorite.