The Carolina Panthers are off to another woeful start in 2024.
That might seem less than ideal for North Carolina sportsbooks promoting the first NFL season for NC online sports betting.
The good news is NC bettors still have plenty of options when it comes to NFL betting. And even Panthers games can provide some interesting betting opportunities going forward.
A missed opportunity
Prior to the Panthers’ Week 2 game against the Los Angeles Chargers, I noticed the point spread had fallen. It was -6.5 at the start of the week and fell to -4.5 before kickoff.
Some of my buddies had picked Carolina to cover. A couple of days before the game, I sent them a short group message that I didn’t agree with their choice. In the message, I predicted a score of “Chargers 26, Panthers 3.”
I’m not making this up. Having seen Carolina get blown out 47-10 the week before by the New Orleans Saints and also being aware that the Panthers best defensive player, Derrick Brown, had a season-ending injury, my prediction was meant to reflect the extent of my pessimism.
I was as surprised as anyone when that turned out to be the final score last Sunday.
I did win a small moneyline bet on the Chargers on FanDuel Sportsbook, using a 100% profit boost to double the payout. But I missed the chance to place an exact score prop bet for which the odds often range from around +10,000 to as high as +50,000 (100-to-1 up to 500-to-1).
Will Dalton decision affect betting?
If you don’t want to bet on super long shots like that, how should you bet on the Panthers going forward?
Will the decision to bench quarterback Bryce Young and bring in veteran Andy Dalton turn things around? Should that move inspire bettors to think about a futures bet on Carolina’s win total?
Heading into the season, futures bets on the Panthers reflected how poorly the team did a year ago. The Panthers had a league-worst 2-15 record. Most sportsbooks set the Panthers’ win total at 5.5 wins prior to the opener this season.
After the Panthers’ slow start, the books have already adjusted that total down. Right after the two blowouts to start the year, DraftKings Sportsbook lowered Carolina’s win total to 3.5. If you’re wondering, the Dalton news hasn’t affected that number.
I think even the most ardent Panthers supporters aren’t too optimistic about Carolina finding four wins on the remaining schedule. That said, even though I might bet against the Panthers in a single game, as a longtime fan, I’m not interested in a season-long wager requiring me to root against them all year.
Instead, I’m looking ahead at the next stretch of games. Despite Carolina’s lack of competitiveness so far, there are some interesting storylines and even a few betting angles available over the next few weeks.
Week 4: Cincinnati Bengals at Panthers
The Cincinnati Bengals started off the season by wrecking a lot of survivor pools when they lost at home to the New England Patriots. They bounced back in Week 2 with a gutsy performance against the world champion Kansas City Chiefs.
Even though the Bengals lost a close one last Sunday, quarterback Joe Burrow appeared to be getting close to form after suffering injuries last year. Playing catch-up in a tough AFC North division, the Bengals are counting on a win versus the Panthers.
Teams have had some success running the ball against Cincinnati. Carolina will try to emulate that, although they’ll need some sort of passing threat to balance their attack. Without that, the Panthers make it easy for opponents to focus on stopping running backs Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders.
Slow starts have been standard for the Bengals over recent years. They were 2-2 to start 2022, 1-3 to start 2023. Catching Cincy early seems to be preferable than later on, but can the Panthers overcome their own slow start to compete?
Week 5: Panthers at Chicago Bears
The Week 5 game between the Panthers and Chicago Bears was supposed to feature the last two overall No. 1 draft picks. The Bears drafted rookie quarterback Caleb Williams with their top pick this year, which they received from Carolina. The Panthers had made Young the No. 1 pick a year earlier.
Whether Young plays, the focus will still be on Williams, who seems relatively settled and confident, unlike Young. While Williams can get rattled by significant pressure, he’s shown an ability to make decisions quickly, suggesting great potential going forward.
Total points will likely be low for this one. Bears receiver D.J. Moore might be worth prop bet considerations, as he undoubtedly will look to shine against the team that traded him last year.
The game might also be the best early-season opportunity for the Panthers to collect a victory.
Week 6: Atlanta Falcons at Panthers
A couple of years ago, both Carolina and the Atlanta Falcons were at or near the bottom of the league. Since then, the Falcons have managed to climb out of the league’s cellar. They’re hoping their new quarterback, Kirk Cousins, will help them improve further in 2024.
Atlanta entered the year with many expecting them to challenge for an NFC South title. They must first prove they are superior to the Panthers before they can think about challenging the Saints or Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
It will be interesting to see if the Panthers have found any rhythm by the time the Falcons visit Bank of America Stadium in mid-October.
- Related: For anyone heading to the game, check out our Bank of America Stadium Gameday Guide.
If Carolina is still looking for their first win, this could represent the make-or-break game for the rest of the season. A victory (or at least a decent showing) could create some enthusiasm heading into the next short stretch against the Washington Commanders (Week 7) and Denver Broncos (Week 8), two more teams with starting rookie quarterbacks.
Meanwhile, a loss to the Falcons (especially another drubbing) would force fans to start thinking about Carolina qualifying for a third-straight No. 1 draft pick.
Other Panthers props
I said I wasn’t personally interested in betting under the Panthers’ win total for the year, but perhaps you might be. Or you might be looking for other ways to bet on Carolina’s continued mediocrity.
If that describes you, here are a few items you might find interesting:
- Panthers to have the fewest wins: +150 (Caesars Sportsbook NC)
- Panthers to be the last winless team: +200 (DraftKings Sportsbook NC)
- Panthers to go 0-17: +2,000 (FanDuel)
Also, if you are in a survivor pool, you could actually choose Carolina’s opponent every single week throughout the season.
That strategy perhaps seems less inviting now with Dalton under center, but the 36-year-old journeyman might not have what it takes to get the Panthers a win this year.
Image Credit: Tyler Kaufman / AP Images
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