The NFL Wild Card games are here, and the first matchup on the docket will see the Los Angeles Rams (12-5) visit the Carolina Panthers (8-9) on Saturday, Jan. 10 (4:30 PM ET/FOX).
These teams met in Carolina at the end of November, with the Panthers securing a 31-28 victory on the back of three touchdown passes from Bryce Young.
With that in mind, let’s dig into my Rams vs Panthers predictions for Wild Card Weekend.
Rams vs Panthers Odds
All NFL odds used for these Rams vs Panthers best bets are current as of Tuesday, Jan. 6, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Moneyline: Rams (-575) vs Panthers (+425)
- Spread: Rams -10.5 (-105) vs Panthers +10.5 (-115)
- Over/Under: Over 46.5 (-112) / Under 46.5 (-108)
Although the Panthers beat the Rams 31-28 in Week 13, Los Angeles enters this game as a double-digit road favorite.
These odds are on par for a team with Super Bowl aspirations and an MVP-caliber quarterback up against an inexperienced, sub-.500 Panthers team that barely made the playoffs.
That said, this may be too many points for me.
Rams vs Panthers Predictions
Score Prediction: Rams 27, Panthers 20
While the Panthers beat the Rams earlier this season, there are a few things to consider: the game was played in bad weather, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford threw a pick-six, and his other interception came off a deflected pass.
Now, the Rams are the biggest favorite of the Wild Card round.
Los Angeles leads the league in points per game (30.5), while Carolina ranks 27th in scoring (18.3). As mentioned, Stafford is playing at an MVP level, throwing for 4,707 yards, 46 touchdowns, and eight interceptions during the regular season.
While I don’t think the Panthers pull off the upset, they’ll keep this game within striking distance.
Rams vs Panthers Best Bets
Panthers +10.5 (-115)
While some extenuating circumstances led to the Panthers’ win in Week 13, there’s something that’s going to remain a problem for the Rams in this game, and that’s the Panthers’ receivers.
The Rams’ secondary hasn’t exactly been locking down opposing wide receivers, allowing more than 150 yards per game (10th-most in the NFL). They have shorter defensive backs, while the Panthers have several taller receivers, including Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker.
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Any time a corner is matched up with them in man coverage, Panthers quarterback Bryce Young will find them.
Carolina should score enough to stay close or get in the back door, making the Panthers +10.5 my NFL pick of the day.
Over 46.5 Total Points (-112)
In picking the Panthers to cover, I’m backing points to be scored in this game. The previous meeting featured 59 total points.
I don’t have any doubt that the Rams will find ways to score. As for the Panthers, if their receivers get into some one-on-one matchups, they should win more contested passes than they lose.
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