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The road team has won 8 of the last 10 in this series between the New Orleans Saints and the Carolina Panthers. When the road team lost, they still covered both games. It should be noted that Carolina has won 4 of the last 5 in this series straight up. Carolina was listed as a -3 favorite.
The Panthers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games following a S.U. loss. They are also 6-1-1 ATS in their last 8 games following a SU loss of more than 14 points. The Saints, meanwhile, are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following a S.U. win.
In a perfect world, looking at these stats we would probably be guaranteeing a Carolina win by 3 points and, hence, a push. But the outcome of this game depends on the strength of one stat verses the other. Does Carolina's tendency to follow up strong after a straight up loss come to fruition or does the road team win again in this series, at least against the spread?
The inconsistent New Orleans Saints are coming off their most complete outing of the season. Now, the key will be to avoid taking another step backwards.
The Saints look to build on their most convincing win of the year Sunday when they visit the NFC South rival Carolina Panthers, who hope to rebound from a lopsided division loss.
Through the season's first six weeks, New Orleans (3-3) has looked good at times and awful at others. The Saints boast one of the NFL's most prolific offenses at 412.2 total yards per game, but that production has been tempered by turnovers and penalties.
It should be pointed out that New Orleans is a team starting to get healthy with key players now returning to the squad.
Meanwhile, Carolina committed three turnovers last week and forced none in a 27-3 loss at Tampa Bay. Carolina fell into a three-way tie atop the tight NFC South with the Buccaneers and Atlanta -- one game ahead of New Orleans.
All three of the Panthers' turnovers were interceptions thrown by Jake Delhomme, who was 20-for-39 for 242 yards and no touchdowns. He had five TDs and two interceptions during Carolina's 4-1 start.
"The sky is not falling. It's not the end of the world," Panthers coach John Fox said. "I don't think anybody in that locker room -- coaches, players, anybody -- is pleased with the way we performed yesterday. ... We've got this day to admit mistakes, correct mistakes and then hopefully not let them happen again."
You can bet this game at SBG Global
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Dan Shapiro, Gambling911.com
