New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers Week 15 NFL Picks & Predictions 12/17/2018

Monday, December 17, 2018

Bank of America Stadium

Get todays NFL Odds & Lines on this game

Bank of America Stadium is the venue for the game between the New Orleans Saints and the Carolina Panthers on Monday, December 17, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has New Orleans as 6.5 point favorites. The total has been set at 54.5.

The Panthers are 5-8-0 against the spread and their over/under mark is 7-6-0. The Saints are 10-3-0 ATS and their over/under record is 5-8-0.

Valuable New Orleans Saints Betting Trends

The New Orleans Saints are 5-8-0 against the over/under

The New Orleans Saints are 10-3-0 against the spread

Important Carolina Panthers Betting Trends

The Carolina Panthers are 7-6-0 against the over/under

The Carolina Panthers are 5-8-0 against the spread

Key New Orleans Saints Injuries

12/09/18 T Terron Armstead Shoulder is questionable Monday 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
10/18/18 WR Ted Ginn Jr. Knee 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

Key Carolina Panthers Injuries

12/09/18 K Graham Gano Knee is questionable Monday vs New Orleans
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

Useful Offensive Statistics

The New Orleans Saints have run for 1,629 yards as a unit, which ranks 5th in the league. They've run 393 times, averaging 4.1 yards per rush as a unit. The Saints have been penalized on offense 70 times for 674 yards so far this year, which has them 17th in the NFL in penalties. They are 4th in the National Football League in points scored with 447. They have run 829 plays this year for 5,057 yards, which ranks them 2nd in the NFL in total offense. The Saints average 6.1 yards per play, which is 1st in the league. As a team they have accumulated a total of 315 1st downs this season, ranking them 8th overall as an offensive unit. Drew Brees has completed 314 throws while attempting 415 passes for a completion percentage of 75.7%. He has passed for 3,463 yards this year. He averages 11 yards per completion and 8.3 yards per pass attempt. His quarterback rating this season is 120.8.

Defensive Statistics

The Saints rush defense has given up 278 attempts for 1,009 yards this season, putting them in 16th place in the NFL against the run. They have had 73 penalties for 677 yards on defense this year. That places them 7th in the league. They've allowed a score on 35.3% of possessions on defense, which is 16th in the NFL. New Orleans is 10th in the NFL in points surrendered on defense with 283. They have given up a total of 4,535 yards on D, which is 17th in the league. The Saints are 23rd in yards per play allowed with 5.8. Their pass defense has allowed 7 net yards per pass attempt, ranking them 16th in the National Football League. Opponent offenses have completed 316 throws on 463 attempts against the New Orleans Saints defense this season, ranking them 13th and 17th in the league. The New Orleans pass defense has also surrendered a total of 3,526 yards in the air, which is 15th overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The New Orleans Saints have tried 26 field goals this season and made 25, which is 11th in the league. Their kickers have a FG percentage of 96.2%. New Orleans Saints kickers have made 98% of their extra points, going 46 for 47 this season. Their punters have accumulated 1,477 yards on 31 punts, averaging 47.6 yards per punt. That ranks them 8th in the NFL in punting average. New Orleans is 16th in the NFL in punt returns with 20. They've totaled 126 punt return yards and are averaging 6.3 yards per return, which is 25th in the league. Their longest punt return this season is 17 yards. They have returned 22 kicks for 510 yards on special teams, placing them 8th in kick return yardage. The Saints average 23.2 yards per kick return and have a long of 47 yards this season. They are 2nd in the National Football League in all-purpose yards with 5,792.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Carolina Panthers are 12th in the NFL in points scored with 324. They have run 802 plays this season for 4,915 yards, which ranks them 19th in the league in total offense. The Panthers average 6.1 yards per play, which is 21st in the National Football League. As a team they have accumulated a total of 289 1st downs this year, placing them 12th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground Carolina has run for 1,786 yards as a team, which ranks 4th in the NFL. They've run 331 times, averaging 5.4 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Panthers have been penalized on offense 76 times for 674 yards so far this season, which has them 32nd in the league in penalties. Cam Newton has thrown for 3,264 yards this season. He has completed 304 passes on 442 attempts for a completion percentage of 68.8%. His quarterback rating this season is 97. He averages 7.4 yards per pass attempt and 10.7 yards per completion.

Defensive Statistics

Carolina is 11th in the league in points allowed on defense with 332. They have surrendered a total of 4,584 yards on D, which is 7th in the NFL. The Panthers are ranked 18th in yards per play allowed with 5.9. Their pass defense has given up 7 net yards per pass attempt, placing them 19th in the league as a unit. Opposing offenses have completed 301 passes on 446 attempts against the Carolina defense this season, placing them 22nd and 15th in the National Football League. The Panthers pass defense has also given up a total of 3,313 yards through the air, which is 18th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense has allowed 304 attempts for 1,271 yards this year, putting them in 3rd place in the league against the run. The Carolina Panthers have committed 72 penalties for 590 yards on the defensive side of the ball this season. That ranks them 9th in the NFL. They've given up a score on 40.6% of possessions on defense, which is 18th in the league.

Special Teams Stats

Carolina is ranked 5th in the league in punt returns with 21. They've accumulated 148 punt return yards and average 7 yards per return, which is 19th in the NFL. Their longest punt return so far this year is 30 yards. They have returned 21 kicks for 447 yards on special teams, ranking 11th in kick return yardage. The Panthers average 21.3 yards per kick return and have a long of 32 yards this year. They are 16th in the league in all-purpose yards with 5,691. The Carolina Panthers have attempted 18 field goals this season and made 16, which is 17th in the National Football League. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 88.9%. Carolina kickers have made 91% of their extra points, going 32 for 35 this year. Their punters have totaled 2,228 yards on 49 punts, averaging 45.5 yards per punt. That places them 12th in the NFL in punting average.

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

Tony's Pick: Take the Panthers +6.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Tony Sink