Panthers vs Broncos NFL Total Prediction, 9–8–2016
Carolina Panthers vs Denver Broncos
Panthers vs Broncos NFL Total Prediction by:
Puss Williamson of BetSheet.com
NFL Odds: Denver +3, 41.5
Game Time: 8:30pm EST
Mile High Stadium Denver, CO
Ca
rolina Panthers
(0–0) NFC South
Cam Newton threw for 3,800 yards and 35 touchdowns last season with limited weapons at receiver. Kelvin Benjamin does return from injury giving Cam Newton a solid option at WR. Benjamin had over 1,000 receiving yards and 9 TD’s as a rookie in 2014. If Kelvin Benjamin stays healthy than you can only expect this Panthers offense to outperform their 2015 stats.
Defensively, the Carolina Panthers lost cornerback Josh Norman to the Redskins but are still going to be a feisty unit led by linebackers Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis. The Panthers finished sixth last season in total yards allowed and scoring defense. A top notch, hard hitting defense is the reason the Panthers have been so successful in recent years. Norman will be missed but it won’t felt until they face a top notch quarterback which most likely won’t come until they face Matt Ryan and Atlanta in Week 4.
Denver Broncos
(0–0) AFC West
The Denver Broncos post Peyton Manning has officially begun and second year QB Trevor Siemian was named the Broncos starter vs the Carolina Panthers to kick off the 2016 season. The Broncos posted a 12–4 record and ultimately defeated the Carolina Panthers 24–10 in last year’s Super Bowl. Are the Broncos ready to compete again or will the Panthers have revenge on their minds?
Denver was fourth in the NFL last season in points allowed and first in total yards allowed and Von Miller was named Super Bowl MVP. Along with Miller, DeMarcus Ware and Aqib Talib anchor this defensive unit. The Broncos will be confident they can hang against any team even if the offense does struggle as expected.
QB Trevor Siemian has no starting experience entering his second year in the league. However, the Broncos have solid offensive weapons around Siemian in wide receivers Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders plus RB C.J. Anderson. It’ll take time to ease into the new role but the Broncos should have their eyes on the playoffs for the sixth straight season.
This will be a tough season opener for Siemian and while he has faced a great defense in practice there is nothing comparable to live action. Denver’s best chance to score points is on the ground and I really like Carolina’s rush defense, being effective against the run.
Carolina Panthers vs Denver Broncos Prediction
What is Puss Williamson Predicting?
“Some key notes to consider, since 2000 the Broncos have only lost their home opener once (2011 Week 1) and have failed to cover the spread only four times, with a 10–4–2 ATS record (71.4%). Sportsbooks currently have the Broncos pegged as -3 point home underdogs, after the home side opened as a slight favorite and was bet down due to issues at quarterback. Denver has been a betting underdog in its home opener just once before in the past 31 years, winning 23–16 as a 3-point pup hosting the St. Louis Rams in Week 1 of the 2002 campaign.
You can make arguments for both sides and our stats and trends favor both Carolina and Denver. My Total lean is to take the Under 41.5 as we like this game to stay under 40 points. Super Bowl 50 final score was 24–10 and I don’t expect many more points than last season’s matchup”.
Panthers vs Broncos NFL Total Prediction: Under 41.5
