Redskins Host Panthers As Small Home Favorites

By: Michael Robinson | Thursday, November 1, 2012

Carolina Panthers at Washington Redskins
NFL Betting Preview
Date: 11/4/2012 at 1:00 p.m. (ET)
Opening Lines: Washington -3 ½, O/U 46
(click for latest NFL odds)
Television: FOX

Carolina Panthers: The Panthers (1-6 straight-up, 3-4 against the spread) take a five-game losing streak into the nation’s capital. They blew a 19-7 fourth-quarter lead at Chicago last week (23-22 loss), at least covering as 8 ½-point ‘dogs. Cam Newton continues his sophomore slump, ranking 28th in the league in quarterback rating (75.2) and completion percentage (57.1). The running game has been decent at 114.4 YPG (ranked 13th), but that’s way down from the 150.3 YPG last season (ranked third). The Panthers defense has held its last three opponents to an average of 19.3 PPG, after 31 PPG the previous four, and another very good defensive effort will be needed on Sunday.

Washington Redskins: The Redskins (3-5 SU, 4-4 ATS) are coming off two extremely tough road games at the Giants (27-23 loss) and Steelers (27-12 loss). The game against the G-Men was at least a cover of the 6 ½-point spread. Coach Mike Shanahan needs to start establishing home-field dominance, and his team did win the last one there, 38-26 as a 1-point underdog over Minnesota. The Skins were 0-8 SU and 2-6 ATS in their previous eight at home. Quarterback Robert Griffin III (97.3 rating, ranked seventh) is having a very good rookie season overall, but his weapons are dwindling with tight end Fred Davis (Achilles) on IR and wide receiver Pierre Garcon also out indefinitely (click to check updated NFL injury report). Carolina beat Washington last year 33-20 as 1 ½-point home favorites, but the underdog was 8-0 ATS in the previous eight meetings.

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