NFL Week 8 Football Betting – Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers (5-2 SU, 4-2-1 ATS) have put together nice defensive performances in three of their last four games. On Sunday they’ll look to build on that when they encounter the Arizona Cardinals (4-2 SU & ATS) in NFL action that is slated to kick off at 1 PM ET at Bank of America Stadium (natural turf) in Charlotte, NC.
Sunday, October 26
BetUS NFL betting odds: CAROLINA -4, Total 43.5
NOTABLE STAT: Arizona averages 3.2 yards per rushing attempt
KEY NFL FOOTBALL BETTING TREND: Panthers are 6-0-1 ATS in their last seven home games
In the BetUS NFL football betting odds, the Panthers are listed as a four-point favorite, with a posted total of 43.5 points.
Here are some NFL football betting trends as they relate to this matchup:
* ARIZ has covered five of its last seven games
* ARIZ has won six of its last eight games SU
* ARIZ has played four of its last five games OVER the total
* ARIZ has covered one of its last five road games
* ARIZ has lost four of its last five road games SU
* ARIZ has played 11 of its last 15 road games OVER the total
* CAR is 7-2-1 ATS in its last 10 games
* CAR has won six of its last eight games SU
* CAR has played its last six games UNDER the total
* CAR is 6-0-1 ATS in its last seven home games
* CAR has won six of its last seven home games SU
* CAR has played its last five home games UNDER the total
Also…
* CAR has won four of the last five meetings SU
* Five of the last seven meetings have gone UNDER the total
This is not a bad offense vs. defense matchup, from the standpoint that Arizona is the highest-scoring team in the NFL, at 29.5 points per game, while the Panthers are third best in the league in points allowed, with 14.9 per contest. Certainly Carolina has improved that figure lately with the help of three very good outings. On September 28, they held Atlanta to 118 yards on the ground and beat the Falcons 24-9. The next week they scored a 34-0 shutout of Kansas City, which gained just 127 yards. And last week against the Saints, they did yield 343 but kept New Orleans off the scoreboard for the most part, winning an easy 30-7 decision.
We know that Ken Whisenhunt wanted to establish a running game in Arizona, but that hasn’t worked out for him this year, just as it didn’t work out for predecessor Dennis Green. Edgerrin James appears to be well past his prime, with just a 3.6 yard per carry average. But Kurt Warner is making up for a lot of this, completing 70% of his passes, with 12 touchdowns, five each to Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin.
Carolina’s offense works a little better, with both backs (D’Angelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart) averaging four yards a pop. That’s not earth-shattering, but it can keep the chains moving, especially if Jake Delhomme (59% completions) happens to get hot.
In the past, Arizona has often acted like a team that couldn’t stand success. With a 4-2 record right now, the Cards are at that critical time when they have to make a decision whether they’re going to be a legitimate playoff contender or another one-dimensional team that comes up short when it’s proving time. They might have to wait a week before making that statement. We like the Panthers, with their defense and running game, and will lay four points in the BetUS NFL betting odds with this team that is 6-0-1 ATS in its last seven home games.
