WATCH LIVE HD Carolina Panthers vs. Tennessee Titans,

WATCH LIVE HD Carolina Panthers vs. Tennessee Titans

   
Carolina Panthers vs. Tennessee Titans Betting Odds, Analysis, NFL Pick

Some teams can handle success, and some teams can't. Carolina, coming off an "upset" of Green Bay, is 6-0 straight up and 5-1 against the spread its last six times out following outright victories as an underdog. Tennessee, on the other hand, coming off an upset of New Orleans, is 0-6 SU and 1-5 ATS in that same spot. Heisman winners clash when Marcus Mariota and his Titans host Cam Newton and his unbeaten Panthers Sunday afternoon in Nashville.

Point spread: The Panthers opened as six-point favorites; the total was 42.5 early in the week, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. (Line updates and matchup report)

NFL pick, via Odds Shark computer: 23.8-21.2 Panthers

Why the Panthers can cover the spread

Carolina ran its regular-season winning streak to 12 last week with a 37-29 victory over Green Bay, and that game was not as close as that final score might indicate. The Panthers pushed the Packers around all day, put up 24 points in the second quarter and led 37-14 with nine minutes to go. Green Bay scored twice and received a gift interception from Newton to make things scary at the end, but ultimately the Carolina defense made a couple of plays that saved the day.

The stat sheet says the Panthers only outgained the Packers 427-402, but almost half of Green Bay's yards came in garbage time. So already this season Carolina has beaten both teams that played in last year's NFC Championship Game and, at 8-0, leads the NFC by two games.

Why the Titans can cover the spread

Tennessee, with its rookie quarterback in the saddle, snapped a six-game losing streak last week with a 34-28 upset of the Saints in overtime. The Titans fell down early 14-3 but battled back all day, finally forging a 28-28 tie midway through the fourth quarter. They then preserved that tie by blocking a New Orleans field-goal attempt in the final seconds, won the overtime coin toss, and drove 80 yards for the game-winning touchdown on Mariota's fourth scoring toss of the day.

The Titans outgained the Saints by 67 yards, and outrushed them 112-61. So Tennessee is now 3-3 ATS with Mariota this season, averaging 23 points per game, and 1-1 ATS but averaging just 6.5 points per without him.

Smart pick

Both teams are coming off great victories, but Carolina is a more veteran outfit, perhaps better equipped emotionally to avoid a letdown. And playing on the road means the spread is a bit more amenable. The smart pick here is the Panthers, minus the points.

Betting trends

The Titans are 0-6 SU and 1-5 ATS in their last six games after winning as an underdog.

The Titans are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games as home underdogs in November.

The Titans are 0-9 SU in their last nine games at home.

All point spread and lines data courtesy of Odds Shark, all quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line movement updates and get the free odds tracker app.

 

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