We are two weeks into the season, and there is an argument where one could say these are two of the bottom 16 NFL teams. Sadly for one of these two teams, Carolina is an extremely non-competitive bottom-16 team. Yes, Vegas did beat the 0-2 Ravens on the road as nine-point underdogs, but you can easily call them a bottom-tier team. Nonetheless, here is the Panthers Raiders preview.
Carolina Panthers at Las Vegas Raiders Preview and Prediction
The Panthers are making the move. Bryce Young is out at QB1 for this matchup, which means Andy Dalton gets the nod. The good news for Panthers fans is that it cannot get any worse than what we saw in the first two weeks. Also, Dalton has been a competitive quarterback for his entire career and will give this team a better chance to win right now. I like this move for two reasons. It is a reality check for Bryce Young and also gives him a chance to learn if it is for an extended period of time. All of the best QBs went through a learning faze before they became great.
Big man got the hops 🐇 @Raiders pic.twitter.com/17jKhCExAN
— NFL (@NFL) September 16, 2024
Vegas should be buzzing! What a win that was in Baltimore. As long as they do not lose focus, they should have no problem defeating Carolina at home. This was the biggest win of Coach Antonio Pierce’s career, so it will surely be intriguing to see how he and the team bounce back. From a skill stand point, this Vegas team is clearly better and should have no issues with Carolina. There is a lot more that goes into winning that just skill so we have to beware of a potential let down spot.
Panthers +5.5
Vegas is 5.5-point home favorites, which is extremely fishy. It seems like the easiest smash spot of the season. The Raiders are already taking 70% of the money and the bets. The fact that this line is not flying through seven tells me to insert the Lee Corso “not so fast, my friend” meme. There will be a time in which Carolina covers against the spread. What we saw from them over the first two weeks was some of the worst football ever. Truly, it will not get worse than what we saw these first two weeks. Do not be shocked if Vegas comes out slow after the big win; I expect Carolina to keep it within this number. Even if they play just a little better, that will be enough as they have already hit rock bottom.
Adam Thielen Anytime touchdown +290
After taking a look at the Carolina Panthers at Las Vegas Raiders Preview and Prediction, it feels like a Thielen game. The connection he will have with Dalton will be the change this Panthers offense needs!
In one game last season we saw Andy Dalton sling it for 361 yards and two touchdowns. 145 yards, and one of those touchdowns went to Adam Thielen. Dalton and Thielen have a clear connection and you should look to cash in on that as the Panthers look to bounce back this week.