New Orleans Saints vs Carolina Panthers Prediction, 1/3/2021 NFL Pick, Tips and Odds, Week 17

Game: New Orleans Saints vs Carolina Panthers

Date: Sunday, January 3, 2021

Location: Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC

TV: FOX

Odds/Point Spread: Carolina +6.5

Total/Over-Under: 51

Teddy Bridgewater and the Carolina Panthers (5-10) host the New Orleans Saints (11-4) at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, January 3, 2021. Carolina opens this contest as 6.5-point dogs. The O/U opens at 51.

The New Orleans Saints come into this matchup with a record of 11-4 for this year. In their last outing they faced the Minnesota Vikings and won by a score of 52-33. Drew Brees went 19/26 with 311 yards through the air but wasn't able to get any balls in the endzone via the pass. He threw 2 picks on the day. Alvin Kamara paced the team on the ground during the game. He tore off a long run of 40 yards and he added 6 touchdowns in the game. He racked up a total of 155 yards by way of 22 carries which had him averaging 7.0 yards per carry. Emmanuel Sanders led the team in receiving yardage with a total of 83 yards on 4 catches. He had an average of 20.8 yards per reception during the game. The New Orleans Saints ended up rushing 45 times and earned 264 yards which gave them an average of 5.9 yards per run. On the day, they totaled 73 plays for 583 yards. Overall, the Saints totaled 36 1st downs and they had 4 penalties for 38 yards. When it comes to their defensive performance, New Orleans conceded 27 completions on 41 attempts for a total of 274 yards, and a completion percentage of 66.0%. In the running game, the Saints conceded 90 yards on 17 carries which gave them an average of 5.3 yards per carry allowed. Overall, they allowed a total of 364 yards but weren't able to force a turnover.

When it comes to scoring points, the New Orleans Saints hold an average of 29.9 points per contest. Offensively they're holding an average of 140.6 yards rushing ranking them 7th in the league. The Saints have racked up 5,676 total yards this season. When it comes to notching touchdowns, New Orleans has compiled 25 touchdowns through the air and 29 rushing touchdowns. The Saints rank 8th in the league in terms of team defense, conceding 22.0 points per game. They are giving up 3.9 yards per attempt on the ground and 95.2 rushing yards per game this season. For the year, they have allowed 1,428 yards via the running game in 15 games. When it comes to yards via the pass, the Saints have given up 3,226 yards which has them ranked 5th in the league. During their 15 games played this season, they have yielded 215.1 yards per game through the air as well as giving up a completion percentage of 60.6%. In total, they have yielded 310.3 yards per game which puts them 3rd in the league.

The Panthers come into this matchup with a record of 5-10 for this year. In their last game they played the Washington Football Team and ended up getting the win by a score of 20-13. Curtis Samuel led the team on the ground for that contest. He had a long run of 45 yards but he wasn't able to run one in for a touchdown. He ran for a total of 52 yards via 7 carries which meant he averaged 7.4 yards per run. Curtis Samuel was the leader in receiving yardage with a tally of 106 yards on 5 receptions. He notched an average of 21.2 yards per catch for that contest. Teddy Bridgewater went 19/28 with 197 yards through the air and added 1 TD. He threw 1 interception on the day. The Carolina Panthers ran the football 35 times and earned a total of 113 yards which earned them an average of 3.2 yards per rush. For the game, the Panthers racked up 19 1st downs and they had 3 penalties for 35 yards. For the game, they ran 67 plays for 280 yards. When discussing the defense, Carolina allowed 26 completions on 47 tries totaling 278 yards, and a completion percentage of 55.0%. For the game, they gave up a total of 386 yards and forced 4 takeaways. In the running game, the Panthers allowed 108 yards on 19 tries which means they had an average of 5.7 yards per rushing attempt allowed.

Over the course of the season thus far, the Panthers have thrown for 3,642 passing yards in addition to an average of 242.8 passing yards per contest, which has them ranked 17th out of all NFL teams. The Carolina Panthers have an average of 351.5 yards per game which has them sitting 20th out of all teams in the NFL. They have an average of 108.7 rushing yards per game and have rushed for 1,630 yards for this year. When it comes to how much they score, the Panthers are ranked 23rd out of all teams in football by scoring 22.9 points per game. When it comes to yards through the air, the Panthers have conceded 3,634 yards which ranks them 17th in the NFL. For the year, they are giving up 360.9 yards/game ranking them 18th in the National Football League. The Panthers are sitting in 18th in the NFL in relation to their opponents scoring, giving up 24.6 points per game. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 4.7 yards per run and 118.7 yards on the ground per game this year. Over the course of their 15 games played, they have allowed 242.3 yards per game through the air in addition to conceding a completion percentage of 68.0%. Overall, they have conceded 1,780 rushing yards through 15 games.

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

Guy's Pick: Take the Panthers +6.5

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