The Week 15 game between the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints has playoff repercussions for the visiting team. Of course, every time the Panthers have gotten in that position, they’ve taken a big step back, including against the Saints a few weeks ago.
My early Panthers vs. Saints predictions and NFL picks expect Carolina to break through with a win in a low-scoring rock fight.
Panthers vs Saints predictions
Here are our early thoughts on the spread and total for this week’s game. We will have a full game preview (with a best bet and SGP) later in the week.
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Early Panthers vs Saints spread pick: Panthers -2.5
The Carolina Panthers are having a breakout season, already matching their top win total of the last eight seasons. They're flirting with their first winning season since Julius Peppers was on the team. He entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame last year.
The Panthers are a road favorite against the New Orleans Saints, just the second time that’s happened in three years.
So far, however, Carolina hasn’t handled its success well. Each time the Panthers have gotten into playoff contention this season, they’ve suffered an embarrassing defeat. For seven weeks, they’ve alternated wins and losses, straight up and ATS.
The Panthers are coming off a bye week, which may break up the alternating win-loss pattern. It definitely provides some much-needed rest after playing 13 straight weeks.
The Saints are coming off an upset win at Tampa that helped put the Panthers into a tie for first in the NFC South.
Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough had a big day running the ball, carrying for 55 yards and two scores. The team has moved the ball better under Shough, who surprised Carolina with a career-best 282 passing yards. Still, the Saints offense ranks in the Bottom 5 in scoring, turnovers lost, and passing touchdowns, in addition to rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, and yards per carry.
The win at Tampa snapped a streak of seven straight games failing to score 20 points, and the Saints have lost their last three home games against the spread.
Early Panthers vs Saints total pick: Under 40.5
While Bryce Young is having a coming-out party in Year 3 and showing he might be the team’s answer at quarterback, the Carolina offense is still weak. The Panthers are in the Bottom 5 in scoring and rank in the bottom half of the league in most offensive categories.
With two toothless offenses, it’s no surprise that this game got such a low total. However, both teams have shown the ability to live down to low expectations in recent history. The Panthers have gone Under in their last three games with totals at 40.5 or lower, including their 17-7 loss to the Saints last month. New Orleans has gone Under in four of their last five with a total at least that small, including twice in the last four weeks.
Both teams are solid on pass defense, and neither quarterback should be trusted against that. The Panthers can move the ball on the ground (No. 9 in yardage), and New Orleans is No. 24 in the league in rushing yardage defense.
Both teams flip their performance in the red zone. Carolina is 28th in rushing touchdowns, while the Saints improve to 14th in scoring defense on the ground. That means field goals.
The Carolina defense has also shown a penchant for turnovers and could provide the offense with a short field. That also likely means field goals.
Look for very few sevens and a nearly unwatchable number of threes as the Panthers grind out an ugly road win.
Panthers vs Saints odds
- Panthers vs. Saints spread: Saints +2.5
- Panthers vs. Saints moneyline: Panthers -155, Saints +130
- Panthers vs. Saints Over/Under: 40.5
How to watch Panthers vs Saints
- Panthers vs. Saints matchup
- Date: Sunday, December 14, 2025, 4:25 p.m. ET
- City: New Orleans, LA
- Venue: Caesars Superdome
- TV: FOX
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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