Las Vegas Raiders vs Carolina Panthers Picks and Predictions September 22nd 2024

Raiders look to avoid ‘shocker’ vs. Andy Dalton-led Panthers

The Panthers and Raiders will face off at 4:05 ET on Sunday, September 22nd at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The Panthers are +197 on the money line, with the Raiders favored at -242. The Raiders are -5.5 point favorites in this non-conference matchup, and the over/under line is set at 40.5 points. You can catch this one on CBS.

Carolina vs. Las Vegas Key Information

• Teams: Panthers at Raiders
• Where: Allegiant Stadium Las Vegas
• Date: Sunday, September 22nd
• Betting Odds LV -242 | CAR +197 O/U 40.5

The Panthers Can Win If…

The Panthers are now 0-2 after their 26-3 loss to the Chargers. Carolina was hoping to bounce back from a week one loss, but they fell behind early, trailing 6-0 after the 1st quarter and 20-0 by halftime. The Panthers managed only a field goal in the 3rd quarter, and the game’s total of 29 points was below the over/under line of 38.5 points.

Carolina’s offense struggled throughout the game, and the Chargers put the game out of reach with two 2nd-quarter touchdowns. Carolina was +4.5 point underdogs heading into the game, and their 23-point loss was well below the spread.

In their 26-3 loss to the Chargers, the Panthers managed just 69 yards passing, with quarterback Bryce Young throwing for 84 yards on 18 completions. Carolina’s offense struggled to sustain drives, finishing with only seven first downs and going 1-of-12 on third down. Young was sacked twice and threw one interception.The Panthers’ running game had 90 yards on 18 attempts, with Chuba Hubbard leading the team with 64 yards, including a 23-yard run. Tommy Tremble was the top receiver with 23 yards on three catches. Carolina didn’t reach the end zone and their only points came from a field goal.

In their 26-3 loss to the Chargers, the Panthers’ defense gave up 219 rushing yards on 44 attempts, with Los Angeles finishing at 5.0 yards per attempt. Despite holding the Chargers to 130 passing yards on 14 completions, Carolina allowed two passing touchdowns. The Panthers struggled on third down, allowing the Chargers to convert 56.2% of their third down attempts.Carolina’s defense did come up with one interception, but they managed only one sack and had a tough time in the run game, giving up big yardage on the ground.

• Carolina has put together a record of 0-3 in their last three games (regular season). This includes going 0-3 vs. the spread along with an over-under mark of 1-2.
• The Panthers have gone 1-9 over their last ten regular season games. Against the spread, Carolina went 3-7 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 3-7.

The Raiders Can Win If…

The Raiders are now 1-1 after a thrilling 26-23 overtime win over the Ravens. Las Vegas trailed 3-0 after the 1st quarter and 9-6 at halftime. Baltimore extended their lead to 16-13 heading into the 4th quarter, but Derrick Henry’s 29-yard touchdown and a late field goal from Daniel Carlson helped the Raiders force overtime. Carlson then nailed a 38-yard field goal with 31 seconds left in overtime to secure the win.Despite being +8.5 point underdogs, the Raiders not only won but covered the spread. The combined 49 points exceeded the O/U line of 42.5 points. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens missed a chance to win it in overtime, as Jackson threw an interception in the endzone with 13 seconds left in the extra period.

The Raiders’ offense struggled to get anything going on the ground in their 26-23 win over the Ravens, managing just 27 yards on 17 carries. Despite this, they still finished with 18 first downs and 233 yards through the air on 38 passing attempts. Gardner Minshew II, filling in at quarterback, completed 78% of his passes for 276 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.

Las Vegas’ offensive line allowed Minshew to be sacked five times. Davante Adams led the team with 110 yards receiving and a touchdown. Zamir White was the leading rusher with only 24 yards on nine attempts.

In their 26-23 win over the Ravens, the Raiders’ defense gave up 151 rushing yards on 27 attempts, including a 35-yard touchdown run by Lamar Jackson. Despite this, Las Vegas held Baltimore to just a 3.1 yards per carry average. The Raiders’ defense also forced one interception and limited the Ravens to a 27.3% conversion rate on third down.In the passing game, the Raiders allowed 232 yards on 21 completions, with Baltimore averaging 6.8 yards per attempt. Las Vegas recorded two sacks and held the Ravens to a 61.8% completion percentage.

• Through their last three games, the Raiders have a record of 2-1. In terms of betting, the team went 2-0-1 ATS in these matchups. Their over/under record in these matchups is 2-1.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Raiders have gone 6-4 straight up. The team’s record vs the spread was just 6-3-1, in addition to an over-under mark of 3-7.

The Lean

Our projected score for this week three matchup between the Panthers and Raiders is 28-17 in favor of the Panthers. With the Panthers coming in as 5.5-point road underdogs, we are locking in our pick on the Panthers to cover the spread at -5.5.

For the over/under, we like the over, with a projected combined score of 45 points and the O/U line sitting at 40.5 points.

The Las Vegas Raiders will face a critical test this Sunday as they host the Carolina Panthers, entering the matchup as clear favorites but wary of a potential upset. Head coach Antonio Pierce emphasized the unpredictable nature of the NFL, as the Raiders look to capitalize on their recent momentum while staying grounded to avoid being caught off guard by a struggling Panthers team led by veteran quarterback Andy Dalton.

Raiders Determined to Maintain Momentum

After a hard-fought 26-23 comeback win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2, the Raiders (1-1) are focused on proving their consistency. Despite being 8.5-point underdogs last week, Las Vegas managed to deliver a surprising victory on the road. However, head coach Antonio Pierce is taking nothing for granted as his team prepares for its home opener at Allegiant Stadium.

“There are shockers every week,” Pierce remarked. “We don’t want to be on that headline this week.” The Raiders know they must play with the same intensity that helped them prevail against Baltimore, and Pierce is challenging his squad to perform at a high level across all four quarters.

“Can we just do it for four quarters? Let’s see what that looks like in front of our home crowd,” Pierce said, underscoring the importance of avoiding complacency after an emotional win.

Andy Dalton Takes Over for Panthers

The Carolina Panthers (0-2) are making a significant change at quarterback, with Andy Dalton replacing Bryce Young, the 2023 first-overall draft pick. Young has struggled in his first two games as a starter, leading the team to two crushing defeats, including a 26-3 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 2. Dalton, a seasoned veteran and three-time Pro Bowler, steps in to provide stability and leadership for a team searching for its first win.

The move to Dalton signals Carolina’s desperation to shake off a slow start. Despite being outscored 73-13 in their first two games, Dalton remains optimistic. “It’s still early,” Dalton said. “Hopefully, we can really put it together and see what we can be.”

Dalton’s experience as a starter gives the Panthers hope that he can bring an immediate boost to the offense. With a career record of 83-78-2, Dalton is no stranger to high-pressure situations and has gone 4-0 against the Raiders in previous matchups. He relishes the opportunity, saying, “I’m thankful to be back in this position. I wasn’t sure I was going to get it again.”

Panthers’ Offensive Struggles and Key Injuries

For the Panthers, the offensive struggles extend beyond the quarterback position. Head coach Dave Canales has emphasized the need for attention to detail and execution, noting that the entire team must improve in terms of being in the right place at the right time. Canales has repeatedly stressed that the focus remains on the bigger picture—getting the entire offense on the same page, rather than singling out Bryce Young’s early-season struggles.

“My concern is the football team,” Canales said. “We’re focused on pushing the whole group. Our attention is on the Raiders and getting better as a whole.”

In addition to their offensive woes, the Panthers are dealing with significant injuries on the defensive line. With only four healthy defensive linemen heading into the matchup, Carolina will be vulnerable, especially against a Raiders team looking to exploit their weaknesses in the trenches.

Gardner Minshew: Raiders’ Offensive Leader

On the Raiders’ side, quarterback Gardner Minshew is enjoying a solid start in his first year with the team. Minshew completed 30 of 38 passes for 276 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in the win over Baltimore, providing Las Vegas with a much-needed steady presence under center.

Known for his mobility and quick decision-making, Minshew has brought a dynamic element to the Raiders’ offense. With this being his third team in as many seasons, Minshew appears to be settling into his role and is eager to build on his success from Week 2. The Raiders’ offense will look to Minshew to continue spreading the ball effectively to his playmakers and keep the Panthers’ defense on its heels.

Pressure Mounts for Panthers to Find Their Identity

Sitting at 0-2, the Panthers are still searching for their identity under Canales’ leadership. “We still don’t know who we are yet,” Dalton admitted, reflecting on the team’s uncertainty after back-to-back blowout losses. This sense of urgency has been a recurring theme as Carolina tries to avoid an 0-3 start.

Despite the challenges, Dalton’s poise and leadership could serve as a stabilizing force for the team. His familiarity with big games and his ability to execute under pressure are qualities that the Panthers hope will translate into a more effective offense on Sunday.

Raiders Eye Consistency in Front of Home Crowd

For the Raiders, the key to victory lies in avoiding a letdown after an emotional win on the road. Pierce’s emphasis on consistency and playing a complete game shows his awareness of the dangers of overconfidence. As Las Vegas takes the field in front of a home crowd for the first time this season, the pressure is on to replicate the intensity they displayed in Baltimore.

The Raiders’ defense, which played a critical role in limiting the Ravens, will look to capitalize on Carolina’s injuries and force Dalton into uncomfortable situations. The Panthers’ offensive line has been porous through two weeks, and the Raiders will aim to disrupt Dalton’s rhythm early and often.

Conclusion: Can the Raiders Stay Sharp?

This game presents an intriguing matchup between a Raiders team eager to prove its consistency and a Panthers squad hoping that a change at quarterback can spark a turnaround. With both teams facing different types of pressure, the outcome could hinge on which squad executes its game plan more effectively. For the Raiders, avoiding a letdown and playing four quarters of football will be the key to success, while the Panthers are banking on Dalton’s experience to provide the leadership they desperately need.

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