If the Arizona Cardinals want to stay in the playoff race, they'll need a win this weekend.
The 7-7 Cardinals are 4.5-point favorites at Carolina, for a Week 16 matchup against the Panthers. The Panthers have lost four-straight games, but they're holding good teams like the Bucs and Chiefs to close scores. So, can a middling team like the Cardinals win and cover against Carolina? I'll break it down:
Cardinals vs Panthers Odds Week 16
Arizona Cardinals vs Carolina Panthers, Dec. 22, 1:01 pm ET
| Team | Point Spread | Moneyline | Totals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cardinals | -4.5 (-105) | -205 | O 46.5 (-115) |
| Panthers | +4.5 (-115) | +172 | U 46.5 (-105) |
As of December 18th at FanDuel Sportsbook
Cardinals vs Panthers Picks Week 16
Cardinals Moneyline (-205)
The Seahawks may be Arizona's cryptonite, sweeping the season series against the Cards this year. But, against non-Seahawk teams, the Cardinals are pretty good. Arizona has won five of its last six contests against teams that aren't Seattle, covering the spread in all six of those games, too.
The Carolina Panthers, on the other hand, are 0-4 in their last four and 3-11 on the season. Carolina's only wins this year came against the Raiders, Giants, and Saints — all teams with bottom-half EPAs and negative point differentials. The Cardinals have a positive point differential and a league-average EPA. They may not be a great team, but Arizona is certainly good enough to beat Carolina.
The main reason I'm unwilling to take Arizona on the spread here is Carolina's recent ability to keep games close. They've lost four-straight contests, but two of those came by three or fewer points (against good Bucs and Chiefs teams, at that).
Cardinals vs Panthers Player Props
James Conner Anytime TD (-188)
James Conner has quietly had a great season, averaging 70 yards per game and scoring eight touchdowns in 14 contests. 2024 will be Conner's fourth-straight season with at least eight touchdowns.
In the last two weeks, the Arizona RB has three touchdowns and over 250 total yards — his best two-game stretch of the season. He enters hot against a Panthers defense that can't stop the run. Carolina has allowed the most touchdowns in football this year to opposing running backs (17 in 14 games). This will likely be the second year in a row Carolina has allowed the most touchdowns to RBs.
Cardinals vs Panthers Betting Trends
- The Panthers are 5-24 in their last 29 games as an underdog
- The OVER has hit in nine of Carolina's last 12 games
- The Cardinals are 6-2 against the spread in their last eight games
All NFL betting trends from Outlier Trends:
