2010 Carolina Panthers: Predictions, NFL Picks and Odds

The Carolina Panthers never did recover from their 2008 season in which they were the top seed in NFL picks for the NFC only to be upset at home in the playoffs by the Arizona Cardinals, the eventual NFC champion. Carolina went from a 12-4 mark in 2008 to a break even 8-8 record in NFL odds last year although they did turn a profit at 9-7 against the spread. The Panthers had to win the final 3 games of the 2009 season to get to the .500 mark. Carolina went under the total last year 10 times.

This year Carolina opened at online sportsbooks as a 40-1 longshot in NFL predictions to win the Super Bowl with an over/under win total of 7 UNDER (-125). Carolina’s big problem last year was at quarterback as quarterback Jake Delhomme imploded with a horrific season and was cut. Matt Moore will take over the position with second round draft pick Jimmy Clausen of Notre Dame backing him up behind the center. Moore took over for Delhomme last year to lead the Panthers in a late season NFL betting rally but must perform at a top level or Clausen will definitely get the chance to unseat him. The running game was in top form last year and ranked 3rd in NFL picks.

Carolina had a pair of 1,000 yard runners last year with DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart and Steve Smith is one of the best deep threats in the game as a wideout. The defense was solid and ranked 8th overall in NFL picks but the loss if defensive end Julius Peppers will be a large hole to fill. Coach John Fox enters the 2010 on the hot seat but if he can get any quarterback production at all the Panthers may prove to be a good value as the public is likely to ignore them early on.