The 49ers remain one of the last two undefeated teams in the NFL this season, while Carolina owns a four-game winning streak, heading into an intriguing NFC showdown Sunday afternoon in Santa Clara. San Francisco is favored by almost a touchdown for this game, but the Panthers are hot with their back-up quarterback. Which way are we going here for our free NFL pick?
NFL Betting Odds
Week 8’s NFL betting odds opened San Francisco at -6 over Carolina, with an over/under of right around 42. Early betting action then dipped the line to -5.5 and the total to 41.
Panthers vs. 49ers Set-Up
Carolina is 4-2 on the season, a winner of four in a row, after beating Tampa Bay two weeks ago in London 37-26. The Panthers then enjoyed last week off.
Carolina popped out to a 10-0 first-quarter lead two weeks ago, let the Buccaneers pull within 10-7 but pulled away from there, pushing the advantage to 34-10 in the fourth quarter, before allowing Tampa to score 16 meaningless points, creating a slightly misleading final score.
Still, the Panthers held on for the easy cover as two-point favorites.
On the day Carolina got out-gained by the Bucs 407-268, but that’s because the Panthers won the turnover battle 7-1, creating several short fields and, consequently, a big lead.
So since beginning this season by losing close games to the Rams and Tampa with Cam Newton at quarterback, the Panthers have beaten Arizona, Houston, Jacksonville, and the Bucs with Kyle Allen behind center.
San Francisco, meanwhile, is 6-0, leading the NFC, after splashing past the Redskins in the rain in DC last week 9-0. The 49ers broke a scoreless tie on a field goal with five minutes left in the third quarter, added two more 3-pointers from there and held on for the shutout. However, they could not cover the spread as 10-point favorites.
On the day, San Francisco out-gained Washington 283-154 and held a 33:27 edge in time of possession.
Two weeks ago, the 49ers beat the Rams 20-7, and three weeks ago, they crunched Cleveland 31-3. So the San Francisco defense has allowed just 10 points over its last three games.
The 49ers traded for wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders earlier this week, but his availability for this game is uncertain.
Panthers-49ers Head-to-Head
Carolina is 6-1 both SU and ATS over the last seven meetings with the 49ers. Most recently, the Panthers beat the Niners back in 2017 also at Levi’s Stadium 23-3. Newton quarterbacked Carolina that day, while Brian Hoyer piloted San Francisco.
NFL Betting Trends
- Carolina is 4-0 both SU and ATS with Allen starting at QB.
- Carolina is 2-0 both SU and ATS in true road games this season.
- San Francisco is 12-2 SU, 8-6 ATS with Jimmy Garoppolo starting at QB.
- San Francisco is 2-0 SU, 1-1 ATS at home this season.
- Home teams are just 36-64 ATS this NFL season, and favorites are only 44-58 ATS.
Totals Report
- Overs are 4-2 in Panthers games this season, which are averaging 50 total points.
- Unders are 5-1 in 49ers games this season, which are averaging just 37 points.
- Unders are 56-48 in the NFL this season.
- Get more details: Panthers at 49ers NFL Match-up Stats
