The undefeated Carolina Panthers (9-0) meet the Washington Redskins (4-5) this week. The game starts at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov 22 and can be seen on FOX.
Carolina beat the Titans 27-10 last week. Greg Olsen had a good game in the win, totaling eight catches for 80 yards. Jonathan Stewart also had a big game with 91 yards and a TD on 22 attempts. Washington also picked up the win last week, easily getting past the Saints 47-14. Kirk Cousins had an outstanding performance throwing the ball for the Redskins, completing 20 of 25 passes for 324 yards and four TDs. Matt Jones contributed with 56 yards on 11 attempts.
Carolina is a considerable seven-point favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 46 points.
The Panthers enter the game with records of 9-0 Straight Up (SU) and 7-2 Against The Spread (ATS) this season. They should have plenty of scoring opportunities in this game, as the Redskins have the 28th-ranked scoring defense on the road. Their ineffective defense gives up an average of 29.5 points per away game. The Carolina run game is productive, currently ranking third in the NFL with 139.7 rushing yards per game. Transitioning to the Carolina defense, there are some factors that could impact the outcome. Carolina’s defense should have an easy time against the Redskins’ lowest-ranked running game, which averages 106.1 rushing yards per away game. One of the keys to the game will be if the Redskins can protect the ball against the ambitious defense of the Panthers, who rank second in the league with 2.2 turnovers per game. If the game is close late, the Panthers may have an edge. Washington finishes away games poorly, giving up an average of 11.8 points in the fourth quarter. Based on Washington’s average time of possession of 27:38 per road game that ranks 29th in the league, look for the Panthers to control the football.
Moving to the road team, the Redskins have a record of 4-5 for both ATS and SU. In the previous five games, Washington has a record of 2-3 for both SU and ATS. The Redskins rely on their quarterback away from home. On average, they pass 41.2 times per road game, which leads the league. Switching gears to the Washington defense, it has some favorable matchups that it may be able to take advantage of as well. The secondary of the Redskins will be looking to shut down the weak passing attack of the Panthers, which ranks 28th in the league with an average of 213 passing yards per game. The Redskins know how to handle late-game pressure on the road, averaging 10.2 points in the final quarter of road games. Special teams is an area of weakness for the Panthers, giving up 97.1 return yards per game.
Predictions: SU Winner – Car, ATS Winner – Car, O/U – Under
Notes
Carolina is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Carolina’s last 7 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 16 of Carolina’s last 24 games at home.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Carolina’s last 6 games at home.
Carolina is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Carolina’s last 7 games when playing Washington.
Carolina is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Washington.
Washington is 3-3 SU this season, when leading at the half. Carolina is 7-0 SU when taking a lead into halftime.
This season, Washington is only 1-2 SU in games where it wins the turnover battle, and an even 2-2 SU when losing the turnover battle.
The Washington pass defense is ranked 12th in the league, while the Carolina passing attack is ranked only 28th. The Redskins’ passing game is ranked just 19th, compared to the 11th-ranked pass defense of the Panthers.
Washington has allowed 29.5 points per game on the road, which ranks it only 28th in the league. Carolina has scored 28.8 points per contest at home (ranked sixth overall).
