Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints Spread

The New Orleans Saints (12-3) will be looking for an eighth straight win and possibly a first-round bye in the playoffs when they host the Carolina Panthers (6-9) Sunday.

The Saints are currently listed as an 8.5-point favorite with the total set at 55.

New Orleans has already clinched at least the No. 3 seed and could move into the No. 2 seed and receive a first-round bye with a win over the Panthers and a San Francisco 49ers loss to the St. Louis Rams.

The Saints clinched an NFC South title with a 45-16 victory over the Atlanta Falcons Monday.

Drew Brees connected on 23 of 39 pass attempts for 307 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions to break Dan Marino’s record for passing yards in a season. Seven passes, including a touchdown, found the hands of Marques Colston, who led the team with 81 receiving yards.

Darren Sproles led the way on the ground with 67 of the team’s 164 rushing yards.

The Panthers are coming off a 48-16 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers – their fourth win in five weeks.

Cam Newton continued to make his case for Rookie of the Year honors by completing 12 of 17 passes for 171 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. He also carried the ball six times for 65 yards and a score.

Brandon Lafell, who hauled in one of Newton’s touchdown tosses, led the team with three catches and 103 receiving yards.

Jonathan Stewart led the ground attack with 88 of the team’s 270 rushing yards.

The Saints have won the last three in this series with the most recent being a 30-27 win in Carolina on Oct. 9. If they don’t decide to rest starters, they could have an easier time with the Panthers this time around.

New Orleans is 7-0 straight up and against the spread at home, winning these games by an average of 22.6 points.

Recent history, however, favors the Panthers, who are 6-1 against the spread in the last seven matchups and 10-1 against the spread in the last 11 at the Superdome.

In regard to the total, the under has been the play recently. These two have played to the under in four of the last five meetings.

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