NFL Mr PRIMETIME has best writeup ever for...
- Handicapper
- Wayne Root
- League
- NFL
- Competition
- Carolina Panthers vs Green Bay Packers
- Release Date
- 10/29/2026 08:42 AM
- Event Date
- 10/29/2026 08:15 PM
- Bet Type
- Point Spread
- Pick
-
Carolina Panthers +3.5 (-108)
(DraftKings)
- Outcome
- Loss
- Analysis
- Root Reserve on Carolina
Let’s start by throwing out Carolina’s beatdown by an emotionally charged Tampa Bay Bucs team as Baker Mayfield started their game. Carolina's afternoon against Tampa Bay went wrong quickly and never improved. Note that a major adjustment is made by the Vegas Oddsmakers following a loss. The Panthers have covered the spread in each of their last seven road games following a loss. Additionally, after a few weeks of making their own team adjustments to start the season, the Panthers have won four of their last five October games as underdogs.
Prior to that game, Carolina defeated the Eagles by a score of 25-14 and the Lions by a score of 32-26. The Panthers have scored 26.5 points per game with 276.0 passing yards and 105.3 rushing yards per game, while they have allowed 27.7 points against per game this season. Bryce Young has thrown for 1,712 yards with 12 touchdowns and four interceptions this season. Those are great numbers.
That defeat last Sunday was particularly disappointing after the previous week's 25-14 win in Philadelphia. Carolina had also beaten Detroit 32-26 and handled Atlanta 34-3 earlier in the season. Those victories are worth remembering before writing off the Panthers. They've won twice away from home, and Thursday gives them another opportunity to show what went wrong Sunday was an exception.
Grabbing the points give us the best chance tonight. Green Bay hasn't scored more than 23 points in four of its past five games. Green Bay has struggled to run the ball, so the Panthers have an opportunity to control possession rather than getting into a passing contest with Love. Young can keep the Panthers in it the entire game.
Green Bay's recent wins have come largely through defense rather than dominant offensive performances. That's why giving Carolina more than a field goal appeals here. The Panthers looked terrible against Tampa Bay, but their victories over Philadelphia and Detroit showed they can handle difficult opposition. Young has been productive through the air, and Hubbard provides a better rushing option than Green Bay currently has. Love could make enough plays to win at Lambeau, particularly through Watson. But that doesn’t mean they’ll cover.
The Packers haven't been scoring freely, and I expect Carolina to remain within a field goal.
