NFL betting in Week 4 has plenty of intriguing matchups including the Arizona Cardinals, who look to bounce back from their first loss of the year as they head to Charlotte to face the Carolina Panthers.
The Panthers are coming off their first win of the year, a 21-16 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, and have been installed as 3.5-point home underdogs for Sunday. We break down the NFL odds with our best picks and predictions for the Cardinals vs. Panthers on Sunday, October 4, with kickoff at 1 p.m. ET.
Arizona Cardinals vs Carolina Panthers betting preview
Weather
The forecast is calling for temperatures in the high 60s with partly cloudy skies and winds blowing NE at 6 mph. Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our NFL weather info.
Key Injuries
Cardinals: Robert Alford CB (Out), Marcus Gilbert OT (Out), Maxx Williams TE (Out), Budda Baker S (Out), Devon Kennard LB (Out).
Panthers: Christian McCaffrey RB (Out), Russell Okung T (Out), Dennis Daley G (Out).
Find our latest NFL injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Panthers are 1-6-1 ATS in their last eight games overall. Find more NFL betting trends for Cardinals vs. Panthers.
Against the spread (ATS) pick
After two impressive wins to begin the year, the Cardinals came back to earth in Week 3 with a loss against the Detroit Lions. That said, they still had a lead with less than seven minutes left in the game despite star quarterback Kyler Murray throwing three interceptions.
It was kind of the exact opposite situation for the Panthers who, after two losses to begin the year, finally got a W last week thanks to four turnovers by the Chargers. As long as the Cards limit turnovers, they'll be able to move the ball against a Carolina defense that allows opponents to convert on 56.8 percent of third downs, the second-worst mark in the league.
As for the Panthers offense, with All-NFL running back Christian McCaffrey still on the shelf with an ankle injury they'll have a tough time sustaining drives against an Arizona stop unit that has an NFL-best opponent third-down conversion rate of 28.6 percent.
With the Cardinals going 4-1-1 ATS in their last six games and the Panthers sitting 1-6-1 ATS in their previous eight, take Arizona on the spread.
PREDICTION: Arizona -3.5 (-110)
Over/Under pick
On paper, the Panthers might have the worst defense in the league. After all, they ranked near the bottom of the league last year and then proceeded to lose many of their best defenders — including the heart and soul of their D in All-Pro linebacker Luke Keuchly. But 52 is a pretty big total and we're not sure if it will hit.
Despite bolstering their receiving corps with the trade for DeAndre Hopkins, Kliff Kingsbury has operated a more balanced attack this year. The Cardinals are 20th in the league in passing play percentage and 19th in yards per pass attempt.
This isn't an offense that excels with big strikes but instead moves the ball methodically downfield, picking up 26.3 first downs per game, which ranks sixth in the league. That, combined with the Panthers' poor third-down defense, means long drives and time coming off the clock.
The Panthers offense plays at a slower tempo as well, ranking just 25th in the league in plays per game. They're facing a Cardinals defense that has looked much improved this season, ranking among the Top-8 teams in the league in both points and yards allowed. Take the Under.
PREDICTION: Under 52 (-110)
First Quarter Bet
Kyler Murray & Co. have gotten off to good starts this year, scoring a touchdown in the opening quarter in each of their first three games (including two first-quarter scores against Washington in Week 2).
The Panthers gave up a first-quarter TD to Las Vegas in Week 1 and surrendered two scores against Tampa Bay during the first 11 minutes of their Week 2 matchup. While they didn't give up a touchdown in the opening quarter last week, the Chargers found the end zone against them just one minute into the second quarter.
Expect some early Arizona offense in this one and take the Over 6.5 points on their first-quarter team total.
PREDICTION: First Quarter Team Total - Arizona Over 6.5 (-135)
Cardinals vs Panthers betting card
- Arizona -3.5 (-110)
- Under 52 (-110)
- First Quarter Team Total - Arizona Over 6.5 (-135)
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