Five weeks into the 2017 online NFL betting season, and good sportsbook betting fans already have a grip on who the team to beat in the AFC is – and it’s not the New England Patriots. The Pats have struggled against weak opponents this season and are barely floating above .500. Undeniably, the Kansas City Chiefs have proven that they are the most dominant force in the AFC, that much is clear. However, we don’t, at the moment, have that kind of clarity in the NFC.
Heading into this season, fans were expecting the Falcons, Cowboys and Packers to be the largest competitors in the conference. So far, Atlanta has underperformed on offense, Dallas has essentially been the flop and it’s too early to get a real read on Green Bay. Instead, the Carolina Panthers have emerged as the frontrunner, at least in the eyes of the fans, within the NFC. Mostly due to the fact that the Panthers delivered a massive upset over the reigning Super Bowl champions, in the Pats own backyard.
This Sunday, the Panthers got a chance to prove to good sportsbook betting players that they are a force to be reckoned with. Unfortunately, some headlines have emerged that might impact the Panther’s concentration this weekend. But first, let’s take a look at what kind of odds the best sportsbooks are giving Carolina against the Lions this Sunday.
Betting Carolina
The Panthers come into this matchup sporting a 3-1 record that ranks them 1st in the NFC South, alongside the Atlanta Falcons. Carolina is coming off their win over New England and will be looking to prove the good sportsbook betting lines wrong once again this weekend. However, the Panthers might have a harder time getting it done. This will mark the second week in a row that Carolina will have to play on the road. Furthermore, the less than pleasant comments made by starting quarterback Cam Newton have thrust an unwanted layer of drama into this locker room.
Specifically, when pressed about a specific passing play by a female reporter, Newton retorted with ‘it’s funny to hear a woman talking about routes’. The majority of the public took the comment as degrading to women at worst and stereotypical at best. The ironic thing is that Newton, being a black quarterback, has battled against this type of thing his whole career.
Since then, Newton has come out and publically apologized. However, the damage has been done and the added limelight could have a negative effect on the Panthers’ performance. Just when things were going so well.
Betting Detroit
At 3-1, the Lions are currently tied with the Packers for the lead in the NFC North. Detroit’s lone loss of the season came at the hands of the Atlanta Falcons, and most online NFL betting feel like Detroit was robbed of a last-second touchdown that would’ve won them the game. Had the call gone the other way, the Lions would be undefeated right now.
The Lions come into this matchup with the league’s 10th best scoring offense, but 24th best total offense. Detroit is pegged as the favorite and might just be able to capitalize on a Panthers’ team currently dealing with distractions.
Good Sportsbook Odds:
Carolina Panthers +2 (-106) 42 ½ (-111) +115
Detroit Lions -2 (-114) 42 ½ (-109) -135
— Cameron 1 Newton (@CameronNewton) October 6, 2017
