Venue/ Stadium: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
Time/Date: 1 PM EST Sunday, September 25, 2011
NCAA Odds From: Pinnacle
Moneyline: JAX +165 / Carolina -190
Spread (ATS): Carolina -3.5
Over/Under: 42.5
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Carolina Panthers Preview
Cam Newton has gotten off to a fast start to the season becoming the first QB ever to throw for 400 yards games in his first couple starts, but the Panthers are still 0-2 because of defensive issues. The Jaguars are 1-1, but because of inconsistent QB play rookie Blaine Gabbert will get the first start of his young career. NFL lines have the Panthers as 3.5-point home favorites in this game with a total of 42.5.
In their last games the Panthers lost to the Green Bay Packers 30-23 and the Jaguars lost badly to the Jets 32-3.
Both of these teams joined the NFL in 1995 and in 5 all time meetings the Jaguars have won 4 times.
On the season both teams are 1-1 ATS and the Jags have an Over/Under record of 0-2 and the Panthers have an Over/Under record of 2-0.
Newton has over 850 yards passing in his first 2 games with WR’s Steve Smith and Brandon LaFell combining for 453 receiving yards with 3 TD’s. The Jags’ pass defense ranks 14th in the league and they have to pressure Newton up front and keep Smith and Lafell from making the big play down the field since each is averaging over 14 yards per reception.
Newton has not gotten much help from RB DeAngelo Williams, who has only rushed for a grand total of 43 yards averaging 2.5 yards per carry. Newton is also the leading rusher for the Panthers and it has been shown that he cannot do it all. It is also important that Newton cuts down on his INT’s, as that killed him last week when the Packers picked him off 3 times.
With rookie QB Gabbert under center the Jags will look to pound the ball on the ground and RB Maurice Jones-Drew (185 yards 1 TD 4.4 yards per carry), who will be counted on to have a good game.[soliloquy id=”82219″]
The Panthers defense has not played well this season ranking 26th defending the pass and 19th defending the run. Containing Jones-Drew is their biggest issue in this game and their front line D has to pressure Gabbert and make him look like the rookie that he is.
While all the focus has been on the rookie QB’s starting in this game the outcome may come down to which team plays better defense.
Betting Trends
The Jags are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games, 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games as a road underdog of 3.5-10 points, and has an Over record of 8-2 in their last 10 road games.
The Panthers are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 games, 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS win, and has an Under record of 7-0 in their last 7 games as a favorite.
Jason’s Pick: Newton has looked great in his first 2 games, but I still think Gabbert will be a better NFL QB. While both QB’s will play well the key will be Jones-Drew and the Jacksonville defense, as the Jags will win this game and cover the spread. Take the Under as well, as this will not be a high scoring game.
