The 2024 NFL season ends in the Caesars Superdome for Super Bowl LIX. The stadium starts the season by hosting the Week 1 matchup between the New Orleans Saints (9-8, 6-10-1 ATS last season) and NFL South division rival the Carolina Panthers (2-15, 5-11-1 ATS) on Sunday afternoon (1 pm ET).
New Orleans tried to move on from the Drew Brees Era last season and paid big money for quarterback Derek Carr to take over under center. Results were mixed. Carr was beat up behind a porous offensive line, but the Saints did play well down the stretch and were in the playoff hunt until the end.
New Orleans is listed as four-point favorites in most sportsbooks in the Week 1 NFL odds, while the game total ranges from 41.5 to 42.
Here’s my best picks for Saints vs Panthers for Week 1, and the best odds for this NFC South showdown.
New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers Predictions
Saints ML (-205) at Caesars
Under 42 (-110) at BetMGM
BETMGM SPORTSBOOKOfferT&CsGet Up To $1,500 Paid Back in Bonus Bets + a Second Chance TD Cash Back
21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (US); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ); 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA); 1-800-981-0023 (PR). First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. See BetMGM.com for Terms. US promotional offers not available in MS, NY, NV, ON, or PR.CODE: DIME1500CODE: DIME1500SIGNUP BONUSGET $1,500
BACK
+ 2ND CHANCE TD CASH BACK
The less said about Carolina’s 2023 season the better, but still we have to.
Carolina brought in Frank Reich in 2023 to be the coach and guide rookie Bryce Young at quarterback, but Young looked timid from the start. He had few reliable weapons to work with (remember, Carolina traded away Christian McCaffrey). After 11 games, Reich was fired. The Panthers finished 2-15, and adding insult to injury, they had traded away their No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to the Chicago Bears.
During the off-season, Carolina moved quickly to hire Dave Canales. He was Baker Mayfield’s offensive coordinator in 2023 with Tampa Bay and given a lot of credit for Baker’s revival. Before that, he worked under Pete Carroll out in Seattle for 12 seasons.
Carolina drafted wide receiver Xavier Legette from South Carolina with their first-round pick hoping to inject some speed into the offense, but Young still looks like the biggest question mark. The Panthers defense was mediocre last season and traded away their star defensive end Brian Burns to the Giants.
This Olave catch against Carolina will never get old. 🤌
📺 9/8 at Noon on FOX
New Orleans Saints (@Saints)
Young on a short-term deal. This is another team that’s defense was actually pretty good in 2023. DeMario Davis is a two-time Pro Bowl linebacker, and the secondary is anchored by star cornerback Marshon Lattimore and Tyrann Mathieu.
Offensively though, the Saints didn’t fix their biggest issue which was their offensive line. Star tackle Ryan Ramczyk has a knee injury and may have to retire. The Saints will rely on former first round pick Trevor Penning at one tackle, and he has struggled since entering the league.
Carr gets a bad rap. He’s not as bad as people think, but he doesn’t have many weapons either. Saints running back Alvin Kamara still has some shake, but he’s squawking about a new contract. Behind wide receiver Chris Olave, there’s no real game breaker in black and gold. Jack-of-all-trades Taysom Hill will still see spot duty at quarterback…and running back…and tight end.
Both games last year were drab defensive affairs. The Saints won 28-6 and 20-17. They have won seven of the last 10 meetings.
I am surprised the total is even as high as it is, and neither team has shown the ability to score much. The Saints should win this one by a touchdown though. The Panthers offense should struggle against what is a good Saints defense.
Saints vs Panthers Odds
