Panthers’ Odds to Win NFC Championship Improving in Spite of Cam Newton’s Injury Scare

• The Carolina Panthers started the 2018 season 6-2 but finished 7-9.
• Each of the last three times the Panthers won seven games or less, they followed up with double-digit wins the next season.
• Cam Newton suffered an ankle injury in the third game of the preseason but appears to be healthy enough for Week 1

The Carolina Panthers have been on a roller coaster ride the last few seasons as they’ve alternated from  Super Bowl contender to one of the weakest teams in the NFC.

Coming off a bad year, is there value with the Panthers to win the NFC Championship Game? Their odds have shortened of late, suggesting that some bettors like the value.

2019 NFC Championship Odds

*Odds taken 08/25/19.

Newton Healthy After Ankle Scare

Quarterback Cam Newton hasn’t played much this preseason but when he did see extensive action in Week 3, he suffered a foot/ankle injury that appeared to be somewhat serious. He and the Panthers appear to have dodged a bullet as Newton, who was in a walking boot right after the game, has already shed the cast.

Panthers Are Quietly Confident

Although the Panthers aren’t getting much national attention, the feeling around the team is that this is a very confident unit. Few people remember, but this was a team that started 6-2 last season when Newton had 15 touchdowns and four picks in those contests.

However, Newton just wasn’t healthy the rest of the way and it showed as he averaged just 187.8 passing yards per game over the final eight contests with nine touchdowns and nine interceptions. All reports not only suggest that Newton is back and healthy, but is surrounded by the best supporting cast he’s ever had.

Nailed it 🙌 pic.twitter.com/TXiPnZiT8s

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) August 25, 2019

The offensive line should be better with the addition of center Matt Paradis, the receiving corps looks like it’s loaded with talent with Curtis Samuel, D.J. Moore, Torrey Smith, Chris Hogan and Jarius Wright. Tight end Greg Olsen is back after playing just nine games last season and the running game will be strong.

On defense, the Panthers already had a pretty good unit but they added Gerald McCoy up front along with Mario Addison, Dontari Poe and Brian Burns. Head coach Ron Rivera has a track record of coaching up his defenses.

In short, this has the makings of a team that can hit double-digit wins. The question is will they put it all together?

Are They Worth A Bet?

The Panthers are coming off a 7-9 season, but this looks like a team that has potential to turn things around. They won six games in 2016 and followed that up with an 11-5 season in 2017. In 14, they finished with seven wins but followed that up with 15-1 campaign. In 2012, they won seven games but won 12 in 2013.

I like them in terms of a number of futures, including over on their regular season win total and as a flier with their NFC Championship odds. The key to this team is a healthy Cam Newton and his shoulder issues appear to be behind him. We know they can run the ball and the passing game should be as strong as we’ve seen.

I’m expecting 10 wins, a playoff berth and a shot at winning the NFC. That’s why I still think they’re worth a play, even though the odds have shortened.