Spread in Panthers vs Cardinals Game Favors Cardinals by 2.5 with Newton Likely Out

• Cam Newton (foot) has been absent from practice and is expected to miss Week 3 versus Arizona
• With Newton sidelined, the odds have swung in favor of Arizona, now pegged as a 2.5-point favorite
• Kyle Allen is expected to make his second-career NFL start

With hobbled quarterback Cam Newton looking increasingly unlikely to suit up for Carolina’s Week 3 contest against the Arizona Cardinals (Sunday, Sep. 22nd), the Panthers have taken a step back on the game line odds for Sunday afternoon’s game, tumbling to 2.5-point underdogs in the Panthers vs Cardinals odds.

NFL Week 3 – Panthers vs Cardinals Odds

*Odds taken 09/19/19.

Panthers Slide After Opening as 2.5-point Chalk

The Panthers had opened as 2.5-point favorites despite a slow start; they fell to  the LA Rams at home in Week 1 (30-27) and then suffered a disappointing 20-14 loss to the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week on Thursday Night Football.

Newton has battled a nagging foot injury since the preseason, but the team was optimistic that the 2015 NFL MVP was on the mend prior to last week’s contest.

#Panthers QB Cam Newton is still in a walking boot today as he battles a re-aggravation of his mid-foot sprain, source says. The team will know more about his status soon. If he can practice, he’s got a shot at Sunday. If he doesn’t practice, it’s unlikely he plays.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 18, 2019

However, Newton struggled in Carolina’s loss to the Bucs, connecting on just 25 of 51 pass attempts and getting sacked on three occasions while failing to find the endzone. The 30-year-old pivot was subsequently spotted wearing a walking boot on his left foot, and has been absent from practice all week.

Kyle Allen Likely to Get the Start

While Panthers head coach Ron Rivera failed to confirm who would be under center in Sunday’s contest before abruptly storming out a press conference on Thursday afternoon, it is likely that backup Kyle Allen will get the call, should Newton be unable to go.

Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray were college teammates and now they could both be leading NFL teams when the Cardinals host the Panthers.

Allen is waiting to learn whether he will start with Cam Newton injured.

More from @SteveReedAP >> https://t.co/tyB3aqwn69 pic.twitter.com/GriHVT5rK3

— AP NFL (@AP_NFL) September 19, 2019

Signed by the Panthers as an undrafted free agent in the spring of 2018, Allen saw limited action in his rookie campaign. Allen made two appearances last season, including his first career start in Week 17, leading the Panthers to a 33-14 win over New Orleans in a meaningless contest for the Saints, who had already nailed down top playoff seeding in the NFC.

Allen made two appearances last season, including his first career start in Week 17, leading the Panthers to a 33-14 win over New Orleans in a meaningless contest for the Saints

Allen is likely to face a much stiffer test against a young, hungry Cardinals squad. Winners of just three games last season, the Cardinals saw their current straight-up winless streak extended to six games with last weekend’s 23-17 loss in Baltimore.

Cardinals Off to Respectable Start

However, with the team reaping the benefits of last season’s tank, Arizona has emerged as a more competitive opponent than expected entering the season. With reigning Heisman Trophy-winner Kyler Murray under center, the Cardinals mounted an impressive fourth-quarter comeback in Week 1, erasing an 18-point comeback on their way to a 27-27 tie versus Detroit.

The Cardinals also refused to fold in last weekend’s date with the NFC North-leading Ravens, twice overcoming 11-point deficits to come within a field goal of Baltimore in the late stages of their 23-17 loss.

With Murray’s confidence growing with each game, the greater concern for the Panthers in Sunday’s matchup may be on defense. Carolina sits level with the Cardinals with 50 total points allowed this season, good for 23rd among NFL squads.

They allowed the Buccaneers to eat up the clock in the second half, particularly in the fourth quarter, when pivot Jameis Winston chewed up over six-and-a-half minutes while leading the Bucs on a 53-yard drive that ended with a crucial field goal.

Johnson Key to Cardinals Attack

Opposing rushers have also racked up big yardage against the Panthers, averaging 133 yards per game this season. That likely makes for an increased role for Arizona running back David Johnson on Sunday afternoon.

.@kentsomers on David Johnson: "Last week I think the Cardinals did a poor job of giving the ball to David Johnson in the red zone, and I think that will change this week against Carolina."

© Joe Camporeale pic.twitter.com/QZA4OOijFi

— The Clubhouse (@ClubhouseKB) September 18, 2019

The five-year NFL veteran was one of the few bright spots in the desert last season, piling up 1386 total yards of offense and 10 touchdowns. The 27-year-old was forced to leave last weekend’s date with the Ravens with a wrist injury, but was a full participant in practice on Wednesday, which will likely further dampen the Panthers’ weak position on Sunday’s game line odds.

And if Murray can continue his strong debut with an assist from a healthy Johnson in the backfield, the Cardinals may be poised to win and cover on Sunday for the just the second time on home turf since Christmas Eve 2017.

Pick: Cardinals -2.5 (-115)