Eagles Fly Into Carolina Favored 2 Points Against Panthers

NFL News - September 7th, 2009 - Written by Jimmy

Week 1 of the 2009 NFL Season has two of the top teams in the NFC going head to head, as the Eagles travel to Charlotte, to visit the Carolina Panthers. Both the Eagles and Panthers are among the favorites to represent the NFC in Super Bowl XLIV. This is likely the hardest match up to pick all week. However, one glaring stat from 2008, the Eagles 3-4-1 road record versus the Panthers perfect 8-0 home record, might tell the tale on this one.

The Carolina Panthers finished with the best record in their division last season, winning the NFC South with a record of 12-4. The Carolina offense moved the ball extremely well on the ground last year, with the double trouble rushing attack of Deangelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Williams and Stewart managed to rush for over 150 yards per game, last season, ranking 3rd for the rush amongst all NFL teams. The Panthers will likely revert back to the ground attack in 2009, which brought them much success in 2008. Jake Delhomme and Steve Smith are always a dangerous tandem, and the league must play the Panthers straight up. Despite playing on the road, the Carolina Panthers have managed to win their last two season openers. The Panthers will try to make it three week 1 victories in a row in 2009.

The Philadelphia Eagles managed to win secure playoff berth last season with a week 17 victory against the Dallas Cowboys. Once in the postseason, the Eagles made it all the way to NFC championship game, but failed to pull off the win against the Arizona Cardinals. The Eagles seem to always find a way to win games late in the 4th quarter, but did not play well on the road in 2008. If the Eagles look to improve upon last year's road woes, getting off to a good start in Carolina will be key. Like in '08, the Eagles will be led by Donovan McNabb, though he will have company with the addition of Michael Vick. Desean Jackson and rookie Jeremy Maclin look to head the Eagles wide receivers. Brian Westbrook and LeSean McCoy will head the Eagles' ground game. The defense for the Eagles will be another story. Long time defensive coordinator Jim Johnson died in the offseason. Not only did the Eagles lose Johnson, but veteran free safety, Brian Dawkins, departed for the Denver Broncos. However, the Eagles were able to come to terms with ex-Patriot Ellis Hobbs, who will take the place of the departed Lito Sheppard.

As it stands now, the Carolina Panthers enter this game as 2 point home underdogs against the visiting Eagles. Not even home field advantage is enough to swing this one to the Panthers, as the oddsmakers seem to really like the Philadelphia Eagles in 2009. All the sportsbooks know this game is going to be close, and could likely go either way, especially with the Panthers getting 2 at home. 43 1/2 points is set as the total on this game with both sides paying evenly. Bets on the moneyline will pay pretty close to even, with the Panthers at +105 in comparison to the Eagles at -125. For quick action and results, consider the first half line in this one, which has the Panthers getting 1/2 point. As long as the Eagles aren't winning, the 1/2 point difference will win the first half for Carolina bettors. 22 points is where the first half over/under stands, with the over paying -105 and the under paying -115. The action is sure to be intense in this game, so get ready for some great football on Sunday afternoon.

Odds found at: Bodog, Bookmaker and DSI Sportsbooks

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