Los Angeles Rams vs Carolina Panthers 9/8/19 NFL Betting Odds and Prediction

The Los Angeles Rams open their 2019 NFL season against the Carolina Panthers on 9/8/19 at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Los Angeles Rams

The Los Angeles Rams had a very successful 2019 campaign. They finished the regular season with a 13-3 record, took the NFC West division and won the NFC title game. They played in the Super Bowl but unfortunately, they came up short against an all-time great New England Patriots team led by Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. But make no mistake, this team is a very dangerous squad with a potent offense and a very talented defense. One of their main issues heading to the playoffs was Todd Gurley’s problematic knee. Gurley’s health will be the key to their success because C.J. Anderson is gone and although they got the most explosive ball-carrier in the draft in Darrell Henderson, he is still an unproven commodity in the big man’s league. The departure on Ndamukong Suh leaves a hole in the front seven. But a defense that will feature Aaron Donald is going to be a very formidable one. Jared Goff had a great year and if he can do it all over again, they might just get back to where they were and finish the unfinished business.

Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers had a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde 2018-19 season. They were 6-2 and looking every bit a playoff contender during the first half of the season. But they sputtered to the finish with a 1-7 record in the second half of the year with their win coming in Week 17 against a New Orleans Saints team that was already resting its starters for the playoffs. Carolina trimmed down their edge rushers and said goodbye to Julius Peppers. They added Bruce Irvin in free agency and drafted Athletic EDGE Brian Burns from Florida State. Thomas Davis is also gone and that puts pressure on Shaq Thompson to do more at linebacker. Safety Mike Adams was no longer in his prime but the Panthers didn’t fill the void he left in the draft or in free agency. Cam Newton is expected to return 100% but can he stay healthy? If he does stay healthy, he and running back Christian McCaffrey could be dynamic duo this season.

Who Wins?

The Rams are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games played. Los Angeles is 3-1 SU in their last four games played on the road. The Panthers are 3-7 SU in their last 10 games played. Carolina is 2-3 SU in their last five games played at home. Head to head, the Panthers are 7-3 SU in their last 10 meetings against the Rams.

Los Angeles is 2-5 SU in their last seven games against teams from the NFC South Division, 1-6 SU in their last seven games against the Panthers but 5-0 SU in their last five September games. Carolina is 1-5 SU in their last six games against an opponent from the NFC Conference but finished the 2018-19 season with a 1-7 SU record.

These Rams enter this game as the NFL betting favorites but they are playing on the hostile ground in Carolina. However, Panthers’ quarterback Cam Newton is coming off a shoulder injury and although he is expected to be 100% ready for the season opener, it’s not going to be an easy night for him with Aaron Donald on the other side of the football. I think that Los Angeles’ offense will be too much for the Panthers. I’m picking the Los Angeles Rams to beat the Carolina Panthers on opening week. Prediction: Los Angeles Rams

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Other Bets To Make

The Rams are 5-4-1 ATS in their last 10 games played. Los Angeles is 3-1 ATS in their last four games played. The Panthers are 4-6 ATS in their last 10 games played. Carolina is 3-2 ATS in their last five games played at home. Head to head, the Panthers are 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 games against the Rams. Carolina is also 5-0 ATS in their last five home games against Los Angeles.

The Rams are 4-1 ATS in their last five games against opponents from the NFC South Division. The Panthers are 1-5 ATS in their last six Sunday games played. The trends favor the Panthers but it’s hard to put your trust in a team that nearly went winless during the second half of the 2018-19 season. Cam Newton’s been throwing passes in training but I’ll go with the better and more complete team in the Rams. Prediction: Rams -3

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The over is 5-4-1 in the Rams’ last 10 games. The total has gone under in each of the last four road games played by the Rams. The total has gone under in four out of the last five games played by Carolina. Head to head, the under is 6-4 in the last 10 meetings between these two teams. The under is also 5-1 in the Panther’s last six home games against the Rams.

The under is 6-1 in Los Angeles’ last seven games away from home. The over is 9-2 in the Panthers’ last 11 games against NFC West Division teams but the under is 6-1 in Carolina’s last seven Week 1 game. These teams combined to score 38.3 points per game in their last 10 meetings and 32.67 points per game in their previous three encounters. However, the Rams averaged 30.84 points per game last season while the Panthers scored 23.50 points per outing. While their previous meetings say otherwise, I think that the potent Rams offense vs a healthy Cam Newton can produce a high scoring game on opening week. Prediction: Over 51

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