CAROLINA PANTHERS
Road Rage: The Panthers can be considered a great bet away from Carolina, SU or on ATS. Against the spread on the road, Carolina has managed a 24-15-1 record over the last 4 seasons, and a 24-16 SU record as well. They also put up big points away from home, going 26-14 O/U on the road. While they’re coming off a 3-4-1 ATS record on the road last season, and a 4-4 SU run, history says Carolina is a safe bet away from home.
Over or Under: In 2002, the Panthers were 6-10 O/U. Since then, Carolina has started putting up points, regardless of their solid defense. The Panthers have hit the over in 40 of their last 73 games. Last season the Panthers were 7=9 O/U, but in the three years prior to that, Carolina is 33-21-1 O/U. At home, Carolina is 14-18-1 O/U, but on the road, Carolina is as sure a bet as anyone in the game to play over games. The Panthers have hit the Over 12 more times than they have the under during the last 4 seasons (26-14 O/U).
Against the Spread: The Panthers may be a 43-30 team SU in 4 years, but they haven’t been an outstanding ATS team over the last 4 seasons. 13 games over .500 SU, the Panthers have struggled to cover the spread, finishing just 1 game over .500 (36-35-2) in the last 4 seasons. They were 6-9-1 last year, 9-7 in 2005, 9-7 in 2004, and 10-5-1 ATS in 2003 (Their Super Bowl year). Not one year have the Panthers stepped up ATS, and thus have made bettors cringe. They may be an up and down team, but ATS, the Panthers haven’t been better than 9-7 since 2002.
Straight Up: After going from a great bet in 2003, when they finished 11-5 on way to a Super Bowl appearance, to a bad bet in 2004 (7-9) to a nice SU choice in 2005 (11-5) to yet another disappointing 8-8 year in 2006, the Panthers might very well hit their stride in 2007. Over the last 4 seasons, the Panthers are 13 games over .500 SU, blitzing the NFC South with a 43-30 record. The Panthers play well on the road, going 24-16 over the last 4 seasons away from Carolina. That’s a better record than their 19-14 home count. If they continue on their up and down roller-coaster ride, the Panthers seem like a solid bet in 2007. They finished 2006 strong, going 3-1; with wins over playoff bound New Orleans and the Giants.
Carolina Booo!: Over the last 4 seasons, the Panthers have struggled in all areas of the gambling game while playing in front of the Carolina faithful. The have a terrible 12-20-1 ATS record away from home, a worse SU record 19-14 at home than they do on the road (24-16), and are only 14-18-1 O/U at home compared to 26-14 O/U away from Carolina. While home-teams seem to get a little extra from oddsmakers, Carolina hardly deserves it. While the home fans seem to stay loyal, the question is, should you? Carolina has always been a tough team to gamble on. ATS, they’re right around .500, but at home, the Panthers consistently under-perform. Take that into account on Sundays this fall.
