NFL Week 17 Picks: Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints

Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints
Sunday, 1/1/12, 1:00 PM EST, TV: FOX
Opening Point Spread: New Orleans -9
Current Betting Line: New Orleans -8
Opening Total: 56
Current Total: 54.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Seahawks Saints NFL Preview — New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees will look to maintain his single-season NFL record for passing yards in a regular season

Carolina has registered two impressive wins the last two weeks and will look to gain even more momentum heading into the offseason with a victory against one of the more talented teams in the league. The Panthers know it will have to start on the defensive end, facing an opponent that averages 457.1 yards per game. “I think it’s really the challenge more than anything else,” stated Panthers first-year head coach Ron Rivera about Sunday’s affair. His team will also be seeking revenge from a 30-27 defeat to the Saints earlier this year as 6.5-point home underdogs. Carolina has tallied a 9-6 ATS mark this season.

The Panthers are led by rookie quarterback Cam Newton and wide receiver Steve Smith. Newton has been a part of 34 of the team’s 45 offensive touchdowns, includign 14 rushing touchdowns. “I believe there is certainly that kind of talent in the locker room to take the next step in 2012,” commented Rivera this week. Smith ranks third in the NFC with 73 catches and will come in with 1,308 receiving yards and six touchdowns.

New Orleans will definitely want to keep its momentum in winning its last seven games and comes off an impressive 45-16 win over the Atlanta Falcons as 6.5-point home favorites. The Saints are known for their passing attack, but it’s important to note that the unit has out-gained its last five opponents on the ground. Head coach Sean Payton is hoping that rookie Mark Ingram will see the field in Sunday’s contest, as he’s missed the past three games with a turf toe injury. New Orleans is 1-4 ATS after playing on Monday Night Football the past two-plus years.

The Saints are playing to potentially capture the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs and also looking to maintain quarterback Drew Brees’ record for most passing yards in a single season. The former Purdue Boilermakers star comes in with 5,087 yards through the air and sits just 190 ahead of New England Patriots signal-caller Tom Brady. It’s definitely an important angle to handicap, especially with Brees falling just short of the record a couple years ago.