Week 1 NFL Spreads: Eagles vs. Panthers

NFL Week 1 – Philadelphia Eagles vs. Carolina Panthers

Stability in the NFL usually trumps change, but this game will give that theory a good test. The Carolina Panthers return basically the same team which stunk out the stadium in a bizarre playoff loss to the Cardinals last January, while the Philadelphia Eagles come in after jettisoning their best back-7 defender (safety Brian Dawkins) and in the process of figuring out what to do with Michael Vick when the former dog torturer joins the team for active duty in Week 3.

Time: 1:00 ET
Venue: Bank of America Stadium
MoneyLine: Eagles -140 (-110) / Panthers +120 (-140)
Spread: Eagles -2.5
Over/Under: 43.5

LOOKING FOR THE BEST NFL CAPPERS ON THE INTERNET? WE kNOW WHERE THEY ARE —–>

Early-season fluctuations in the betting line are common, and this one has been no different. The books gave 3 to the Panthers at the outset, then early money knocked down that number to 1. Philly money has fattened the number back to 2.5, where it is now in most books. The O/U number has remained steady at 43.5.

The Eagles always seem to be tinkering with this or that. Some of that is due to injuries, some to the natural recycling of NFL players, and some is due to the fact that they always seem to be knocking on the door but never have enough strength to knock it down.

Like Carolina, Philadelphia was laid waste by Arizona in the playoffs last season, ending a nice end-of-the-season run in which the Eagles took a lost season and got to the NFC Championship game by winning 6 of 7 games in a streak that started in late November and ended in a 32-25 loss to the Cardinals.

With Vick not suited up, the Eagles offense will again be based around Brian Westbrook and Donovan McNabb. They’ll be operating behind a re-made offensive line that is still figuring out blocking assignments. Philadelphia also brought in great speed with rookie wideout and Jeremy Maclin and running LeSean McCoy. Westbrook will still be the man until one injury after another takes too great a toll.

Panthers fans, meanwhile, a bracing for what many feel will be a step back from last year’s team, which went 12-4 and won the brutal NFC South before turning into the Cleveland Browns in that playoff loss. Jake Delhomme says he takes responsibility for that defeat. He has a point. Delhomme threw five interceptions in the game.

Management’s response to that clunker was a new, huge contract. Delhomme, who loves to run around and make plays, really needs to understand that Carolina will be a run-first team with DeAngelo Williams (18 rushing TDs and 1,515 yards) and injured-for-now Jonathan Stewart (636 yards, 10 TDs).

Injuries also appear to be slowing down All-Pro wideout Steve Smith, which will probably force coach John Fox to stay with the ground game, something he inexplicably wouldn’t do after the Panthers fell behind in that playoff loss last season.

Julius Peppers is signed and healthy, but perhaps not happy after signing a one-year deal. But the D-Line and linebackers have suffered more than their share of pre-season injuries, and because of those injuries the Panthers stunk it up in the pre-season despite returning 20 of 22 starters.

The Panthers had better enjoy warm weather while they can. The second half of the season features trips to New England and New York (Jets 11/29) and Giants (12/27).

Comment on this game below, hit us with your pregame NFL picks and predictions…

Grab yourself a 100% FREE PLAY bonus today at BetPhoenix.com Sportsbook! (deposit of $100 and applies up to $200) – CLICK HERE NOW!

Lawrence Paul is a regular contributor to the Cappers Picks Blog, and is a free-lance gambling and travel writer from Massachusetts.