Saints vs. Panthers Predictions, Picks & Odds Week 2: Monday Night Football

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17 September 2023

Saints vs. Panthers Predictions, Picks & Odds Week 2: Monday Night Football

The New Orleans Saints and the Carolina Panthers serve as the first game in a Monday Night Football double feature, and we have you covered with our top predictions for the Saints vs. Panthers matchup, based on the best NFL odds.

The Saints started their season 1-0 for the fifth consecutive year by defeating the Tennessee Titans 16-15 in Week 1.

Meanwhile, the Carolina Panthers played their first game under new head coach Frank Reich and with rookie quarterback Bryce Young but suffered a loss to the NFC South rival Atlanta Falcons.

And be sure to head to our Browns vs. Steelers predictions and Browns vs. Steelers player props for a look at the other Monday night game.

Hereis our best Saints vs. Panthers prediction for Monday Night Football (odds viaour bestNFL betting sites; pick confidence based on a1-to-5-star scale).

Saints vs. Panthers prediction: Monday Night Football

Under 40 (-110 via DraftKings,FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

TheUnder cashed in New Orleans’ last seven games dating back to 2022and each of the previous five meetings between these NFC South rivals. Expect another defensive struggle on Monday night.

TheSaints' offense hasn't had much consistency over the last several years, asDerek Carr became the third different quarterback to win a season opener in the previous four seasons. However, this wager is all about NewOrleans' defense, which held nine straight opponents to 20 or fewer points,tying the longest streak in franchise history (1991).

Schedulemakers didn't do Young any favors as he continues to learn and developas an NFL quarterback. With his Week 1 loss to the Falcons, QBsselected #1 overall since 2003 are now 0-14-1 in their first career start.

Panthers quarterbacks ranked last in QBR (32), TD-INT ratio (30-34), andpassing yards per game (183.4) over the previous two seasons, and the teamtraded away its best wide receiver, D.J. Moore, to move up tothe No. 1 pick. There's no avenue for Young to lead the Panthers' offenseto points against a Saints' D that ranked ninth, fourth, and fifth inpoints per game allowed over the last three seasons and fourth in opponent's Total QBR last year.

Meanwhile,New Orleans clearly missed running back Alvin Kamara in Week 1, as he'ssuspended for two more games (personal conduct policy). The Saints ran for just69 yards and averaged 2.6 yards per carry against the Titans. The rungame should struggle once again when facing a Panthers' defense ranked13th in defensive efficiency last season.

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Saints vs. Panthers best odds

ForUnder backers, DraftKings and FanDuel provide the best value, as they're theonly two sportsbooks offering a total as high as 40. When comparing all of our best sports betting apps, no one charges more in juice to back one sideor the other, so the betting splits are pretty even.

Saints vs. Panthers odds for Monday Night Football

Theline movement throughout the week suggests sharp money came in onthe Under. Caesars had the biggest total fluctuation, going from alook-ahead line of 42.5 to a low of 39 on Sunday. From there, the total reached41 before settling back at 39.5. FanDuel had a similar range from 39 to 42.5, but its total rose a full point compared to a half-point whenit reached 39.

All of our best sports betting sites agree, with New Orleans favored by 3 points, while FanDuel is the only shop juiced to the underdog (+114 to back the+3). FanDuel is also the sole book that never got to New Orleans -3.5,while all Panthers backers weighed in quickly at all other shops whenever +3.5 was available.

Themoneyline odds range from New Orleans -155 at DraftKings to -167 at BetRivers. Young looks to improve the poor record of No. 1 overall draft picksin their second start, as the previous 26 are 5-21 SU and 10-15-1 ATS in their careersecond starts.