Post sports gambling editor/producer and digital sports editor Matt Ehalt is back for his second season in the NFL Bettor’s Guide.
PANTHERS (+10.5) over Rams
I get that the Rams are clearly better than the Panthers.
I get that perhaps their regular-season clash goes differently if Matthew Stafford doesn’t throw a pick-six early in that game.
But we can’t just discount that when these teams met in Charlotte on Nov. 30, the Panthers won, 31-28, in a huge upset.
So, yes, I’m going to take the 10.5 points – love getting the hook – and bet on this game not having a 14-point swing from last time.
While I’m still expecting the Rams to win with comfort, the large spread allows a backdoor cover and we saw last time that Los Angeles’ defense couldn’t slow Carolina.
Don’t be shocked if the Rams start fast and then start thinking next week, which allows Bryce Young to keep this within 10 points.
Chargers (+3.5) over PATRIOTS
The Chargers have struggled this year against teams that can rush the passer due to the injuries affecting them at the tackle position.
The Patriots, for all their success, lack a formidable pass rush, ranking 26th with their 35 sacks this season.
Los Angeles should move the ball through the secondary with its plethora of weapons, with rookie running back Omarion Hampton proving he can make plays in the passing game.
Betting on the NFL?
We also believe experience that matters in the postseason and this will be Drake Maye’s first playoff game, while the Chargers’ Justin Hebert will be making his third postseason appearance.
This should be a tight game, and we love getting the hook here with a live underdog.
The NFL did the Chargers a favor not making this the 1 p.m. contest.
Last week: 2-0; Steelers (W); Jaguars (W)
Regular season: 14-19-3.
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Matt Ehalt has been picking against the spread since his childhood days when he entered his father’s newspaper pool and even took the top prize on more than one occasion. He specializes in NFL wagers and is quite successful with NCAA brackets.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
