Kansas City Chiefs vs. Carolina Panthers: NFL Preseason Week 2 Betting Odds and Picks

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Carolina Panthers
Sunday, 8/17/14, 8:00 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Carolina -1
Current Betting Line: Carolina -3
Opening Total: 39
Current Total: 40.5
Odds Courtesy of 5Dimes

Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton is expected to be under center Sunday night

Kansas City will look to build on its 41-39 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals as two-point home favorites in its preseason opener last week, while going OVER the betting total of 36.5. The Chiefs special teams and defense were responsible for 27 of the team’s 41 points, which can’t be ignored when looking over the NFL betting lines, with rookie running back De’Anthony Thomas supplying the biggest play with a 80-yard punt return. Head coach Andy Reid expects starting quarterback Alex Smith to play nearly the entire first half, as he wants him to go up against Carolina’s talented defense.

The Chiefs first-team defense will be tested with Panthers signal-caller Cam Newton taking the field for the first time in 2014, with linebackers Tamba Hall and Justin Houston leading the charge. Offensively, Kansas City will need to figure out its wide receiver situation with the recent announcement of Dwayne Bowe being suspended for the regular season opener due to violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

Carolina was handed a 20-18 defeat by the Buffalo Bills as one-point home underdogs last week, while going OVER the betting total of 37. Panthers head coach Ron Rivera would like Newton to play through the first quarter, as his return will greatly benefit the wide receivers and tight ends, which is important to consider when making your NFL betting picks Sunday night. Running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart also appear ready to take the field for the first time. It’s important to point out that reserve quarterback Joe Web led the squad with 30 rushing yards versus the Bills.

The Panthers have plenty of question marks in the secondary, with Rivera classifying the group as a work in progress. Carolina will need to figure things out on the field without the services of free safety Roman Harper in this matchup, as he’s still battling turf toe. The team is trying to convert Charles Godfrey from safety to a nickel corner, but it has not gone well, as he’s still dealing with lingering effects from last year’s torn Achilles.