Dec 10, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (12) goes in for a touchdown against Carolina Panthers safety Vonn Bell (24) during the second half at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
- The New Orleans Saints host the Carolina Panthers at 1 pm in a battle of two NFC South teams looking to improve on 2023
- The Saints have won five straight Week 1 encounters, the longest active streak in the NFL
- Below, see our New Orleans Saints vs Carolina Panthers predictions and picks, plus the best odds for the spread, moneyline, and total
The 2024 NFL season ends in the Caesars Superdome for Super Bowl LIX. The stadium starts the season by hosting the Week 1 matchup between the New Orleans Saints (9-8, 6-10-1 ATS last season) and NFL South division rival the Carolina Panthers (2-15, 5-11-1 ATS) on Sunday afternoon (1 pm ET).
New Orleans tried to move on from the Drew Brees Era last season and paid big money for quarterback Derek Carr to take over under center. Results were mixed. Carr was beat up behind a porous offensive line, but the Saints did play well down the stretch and were in the playoff hunt until the end.
New Orleans is listed as four-point favorites in most sportsbooks in the Week 1 NFL odds, while the game total ranges from 41.5 to 42.
Here’s my best picks for Saints vs Panthers for Week 1, and the best odds for this NFC South showdown.
New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers Predictions
- Saints ML (-205) at Caesars
- Under 42 (-110) at BetMGM
The less said about Carolina’s 2023 season the better, but still we have to.
Carolina brought in Frank Reich in 2023 to be the coach and guide rookie Bryce Young at quarterback, but Young looked timid from the start. He had few reliable weapons to work with (remember, Carolina traded away Christian McCaffrey). After 11 games, Reich was fired. The Panthers finished 2-15, and adding insult to injury, they had traded away their No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to the Chicago Bears.
During the off-season, Carolina moved quickly to hire Dave Canales. He was Baker Mayfield’s offensive coordinator in 2023 with Tampa Bay and given a lot of credit for Baker’s revival. Before that, he worked under Pete Carroll out in Seattle for 12 seasons.
Carolina drafted wide receiver Xavier Legette from South Carolina with their first-round pick hoping to inject some speed into the offense, but Young still looks like the biggest question mark. The Panthers defense was mediocre last season and traded away their star defensive end Brian Burns to the Giants.
This Olave catch against Carolina will never get old. 🤌
📺 #CARvsNO 9/8 at Noon on FOX pic.twitter.com/lV8zy70psY
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 6, 2024
Young on a short-term deal. This is another team that’s defense was actually pretty good in 2023. DeMario Davis is a two-time Pro Bowl linebacker, and the secondary is anchored by star cornerback Marshon Lattimore and Tyrann Mathieu.
Offensively though, the Saints didn’t fix their biggest issue which was their offensive line. Star tackle Ryan Ramczyk has a knee injury and may have to retire. The Saints will rely on former first round pick Trevor Penning at one tackle, and he has struggled since entering the league.
Carr gets a bad rap. He’s not as bad as people think, but he doesn’t have many weapons either. Saints running back Alvin Kamara still has some shake, but he’s squawking about a new contract. Behind wide receiver Chris Olave, there’s no real game breaker in black and gold. Jack-of-all-trades Taysom Hill will still see spot duty at quarterback…and running back…and tight end.
Both games last year were drab defensive affairs. The Saints won 28-6 and 20-17. They have won seven of the last 10 meetings.
I am surprised the total is even as high as it is, and neither team has shown the ability to score much. The Saints should win this one by a touchdown though. The Panthers offense should struggle against what is a good Saints defense.
Saints vs Panthers Odds
| Teams | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans Saints | -4 (-115) | -200 | O 41.5 (-110) |
| Carolina Panthers | +4 (-110) | +165 | U 41.5 (-110) |
The spread is pretty much four points across the board in favor of the Saints except for at FanDuel where it dropped to 3.5. DraftKings has the Saints -192 on the moneyline, but Caesars has them -205.
The only variable in the total is at BetMGM where the number posted is 42. Everywhere else it’s 41.5.
One other piece of advice, lean toward all of the unders in offensive performances. Alvin Kamara rushing total is 54.5 in this one and Carr’s passing total is 226.5. Last season in the two games, Carr threw for 119 yards and 228. Hardly promising. Kamara ran for 56 in his only appearance against the Panthers.
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The highly anticipated Week 1 matchup between the New Orleans Saints and the Carolina Panthers is set to kick off the NFL season with a bang. Both teams are coming off strong performances in the preseason and are looking to start the regular season on a high note.
The Saints, led by veteran quarterback Drew Brees, are looking to make a statement in their first game of the season. With an explosive offense that includes star wide receiver Michael Thomas and running back Alvin Kamara, the Saints are expected to put up big numbers against the Panthers’ defense.
On the other side of the ball, the Panthers are led by quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who is looking to prove himself as a starting quarterback in the league. With weapons like running back Christian McCaffrey and wide receiver DJ Moore, the Panthers have the potential to put up points against the Saints’ defense.
In terms of odds, the Saints are currently favored to win the game by a slim margin. However, the Panthers are not to be underestimated and could pull off an upset if they play to their full potential.
As for picks and predictions, it’s a tough call as both teams have strong offenses and defenses. However, many experts are leaning towards the Saints to come out on top in this matchup. With Brees leading the charge and a talented roster surrounding him, the Saints have the edge in this game.
Overall, fans can expect an exciting and high-scoring game between these two NFC South rivals. Whether you’re rooting for the Saints or the Panthers, this Week 1 matchup is sure to be a must-watch for any football fan.