Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints Week 17 NFL Picks & Predictions 12/30/2018

Sunday, December 30, 2018

Mercedes-Benz Superdome

Get todays NFL Odds & Lines on this game

The Carolina Panthers head to Mercedes-Benz Superdome to play the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, December 30, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has New Orleans as 6 point favorites. The total has been set at 43.

The Panthers are 6-9-0 against the spread and their over/under record is 7-8-0. The Saints are 10-5-0 against the spread and their over/under mark is 6-9-0.

Valuable Carolina Panthers Betting Trends

The Carolina Panthers are 7-8-0 against the over/under

The Carolina Panthers are 6-9-0 against the spread

Important New Orleans Saints Betting Trends

The New Orleans Saints are 6-9-0 against the over/under

The New Orleans Saints are 10-5-0 against the spread

Key Carolina Panthers Injuries

12/24/18 QB Taylor Heinicke Elbow injured last game, is questionable Sunday vs New Orleans
12/23/18 DT Kawann Short Calf is questionable Sunday vs New Orleans
12/23/18 G Trai Turner Ankle injured last game, is questionable Sunday vs New Orleans
12/20/18 LB Shaq Thompson Shoulder IR
12/19/18 QB Cam Newton Shoulder is out indefinitely
12/19/18 K Graham Gano Knee IR
12/07/18 G Amini Silatolu Knee IR
12/06/18 G Brendan Mahon Concussion IR
12/03/18 TE Greg Olsen Foot is out for season
12/01/18 WR Damiere Byrd Arm IR
10/19/18 LB Jared Norris Toe IR
09/27/18 S Da'Norris Searcy Concussion IR
09/12/18 T Daryl Williams Knee IR
09/04/18 S Damian Parms Shoulder IR
09/04/18 RB Elijah Hood Knee IR
09/04/18 WR Fred Ross Hip IR
09/04/18 T Jeremiah Sirles Hamstring IR
09/04/18 CB Kevon Seymour Shoulder IR
09/04/18 T Matt Kalil Knee IR
09/04/18 CB Ross Cockrell Leg IR
08/03/18 RB Fozzy Whittaker Knee IR

Key New Orleans Saints Injuries

12/24/18 T Ryan Ramczyk Undisclosed injured last game, is questionable Sunday vs Carolina
12/23/18 T Jermon Bushrod Hamstring is questionable Sunday vs Carolina
12/23/18 T Terron Armstead Shoulder injured last game, is questionable Sunday vs Carolina
11/22/18 WR Dez Bryant Achilles is out for season
11/08/18 WR Cameron Meredith Knee IR
10/24/18 G Josh LeRibeus Ankle IR
09/26/18 CB Patrick Robinson Ankle IR
09/04/18 TE Michael Hoomanawanui Neck IR
09/04/18 DB Rickey Jefferson Knee IR
09/04/18 RB Shane Vereen Finger IR
09/04/18 WR Travin Dural Arm IR

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Carolina Panthers are 12th in the National Football League in points scored with 343. They have run 943 plays this year for 5,598 yards, which ranks them 19th in the NFL in total offense. The Panthers average 5.9 yards per play, which is 21st in the league. As a team they have accumulated a total of 331 1st downs this season, ranking them 12th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground Carolina has run for 2,025 yards as a unit, which ranks 4th in the league. They've run 379 times, averaging 5.3 yards per rush as a unit. The Panthers have been penalized on offense 90 times for 808 yards so far this year, which has them 32nd in the NFL in penalties. Taylor Heinicke has passed for 320 yards this year. He's completed 35 throws while attempting 57 passes for a completion percentage of 61.4%. His quarterback rating this season is 60.6. He averages 9.1 yards per completion and 5.6 yards per pass attempt.

Defensive Statistics

Carolina is 11th in the NFL in points surrendered on defense with 368. They have given up a total of 5,357 yards on D, which is 7th in the league. The Panthers are 18th in yards per play allowed with 6. Their pass defense has allowed 6.9 net yards per pass attempt, ranking them 19th in the National Football League. Opponent offenses have completed 339 throws on 507 attempts against the Carolina Panthers defense this season, ranking them 22nd and 15th in the league. The Carolina pass defense has also surrendered a total of 3,737 yards in the air, which is 18th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense has given up 357 attempts for 1,620 yards this season, putting them in 3rd place in the NFL against the run. The Panthers have had 85 penalties for 711 yards on defense this year. That places them 9th in the league. They've allowed a score on 39.1% of possessions on defense, which is 18th in the NFL.

Special Teams Stats

Carolina is 5th in the NFL in punt returns with 24. They've totaled 165 punt return yards and are averaging 6.9 yards per return, which is 19th in the league. Their longest punt return this season is 30 yards. They have returned 26 kicks for 582 yards on special teams, placing them 11th in kick return yardage. The Panthers average 22.4 yards per kick return and have a long of 37 yards this season. They are 16th in the National Football League in all-purpose yards with 6,575. The Carolina Panthers have tried 19 field goals this season and made 17, which is 17th in the league. Their kickers have a FG percentage of 89.5%. Carolina Panthers kickers have made 92% of their extra points, going 34 for 37 this season. Their punters have accumulated 2,595 yards on 58 punts, averaging 44.7 yards per punt. That ranks them 12th in the NFL in punting average.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The New Orleans Saints have run for 1,841 yards as a team, which ranks 5th in the NFL. They've run 444 times, averaging 4.1 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Saints have been penalized on offense 88 times for 845 yards so far this season, which has them 17th in the league in penalties. They are 4th in the NFL in points scored with 490. They have run 959 plays this season for 5,773 yards, which ranks them 2nd in the league in total offense. The Saints average 6 yards per play, which is 1st in the National Football League. As a team they have accumulated a total of 360 1st downs this year, placing them 8th overall as an offensive unit. Drew Brees averages 8.2 yards per pass attempt and 11 yards per completion. He has completed 364 passes on 489 attempts for a completion percentage of 74.4%. His quarterback rating is 115.7. He has thrown for 3,992 yards this season.

Defensive Statistics

The Saints rush defense has allowed 319 attempts for 1,172 yards this year, putting them in 16th place in the league against the run. New Orleans has committed 83 penalties for 804 yards on the defensive side of the ball this season. That ranks them 7th in the NFL. They've given up a score on 34.4% of possessions on defense, which is 16th in the league. They are 10th in the league in points allowed on defense with 320. They have surrendered a total of 5,211 yards on D, which is 17th in the NFL. The New Orleans Saints are ranked 23rd in yards per play allowed with 5.7. Their pass defense has given up 6.8 net yards per pass attempt, placing them 16th in the league as a unit. Opposing offenses have completed 366 passes on 543 attempts against the New Orleans defense this season, placing them 13th and 17th in the National Football League. The Saints pass defense has also given up a total of 4,039 yards through the air, which is 15th overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The New Orleans Saints have attempted 30 field goals this season and made 28, which is 11th in the National Football League. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 93.3%. New Orleans kickers have made 98% of their extra points, going 50 for 51 this year. Their punters have totaled 1,786 yards on 38 punts, averaging 47 yards per punt. That places them 8th in the NFL in punting average. New Orleans is ranked 16th in the league in punt returns with 22. They've accumulated 139 punt return yards and average 6.3 yards per return, which is 25th in the NFL. Their longest punt return so far this year is 17 yards. They have returned 23 kicks for 560 yards on special teams, ranking 8th in kick return yardage. The Saints average 24.3 yards per kick return and have a long of 50 yards this year. They are 2nd in the league in all-purpose yards with 6,596.

Who will win tonight's Panthers/Saints NFL game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Saints -6

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