2009 NFL Picks Carolina Panthers NFC South Betting Odds: After winning 12 games and the NFC South title a year ago, the Carolina Panthers will try to maintain the success and post back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in franchise history. The 2009 NFL Picks experts at online sportsbook SBG Global have the Carolina Panthers +3950 odds to win the 2010 Super Bowl .
CAROLINA PANTHERS – NFC SOUTH
2008 Season Record: 12-4, first in NFC South
Offense: 7
Defense: 7
Special Teams: 8
Coaching: 8
2009 NFL Picks: 10-6
OVER 8½ WINS: -115 odds
UNDER 8½ WINS: -115 odds
Pros: Everything clicked for the Carolina Panthers last season as they got good production on both sides of the ball and avoided major injuries to key personnel. Running back DeAngelo Williams emerged as a top runner (1,515 yards, 18 touchdowns) and helped balance the passing attack. Wide receiver Steve Smith earned his fourth Pro Bowl appearance while leading the team with 78 receptions and 1,421 receiving yards. Middle linebacker Jon Beason earned All-Pro honors in just his second season and veteran Julius Peppers continued to lead the pass rush with 14.5 sacks.
Cons: The defense broke down late in the season as they allowed 30 or more points in fie of the final seven games of the season. The Panthers must replace starting cornerback Ken Lucas, who struggled on the field in 2008 and is now with Seattle. Former second round pick Dwayne Jarrett has been a huge disappointment at receiver, catching only 16 passes in two seasons. With veteran starter Muhsin Muhammad entering his 14th season, the Panthers need another receiver to step up and provide quarterback Jake Delhomme with an additional receiving option.
Surprise Stat: Nine of 11 defensive starters were in the starting lineup for all 16 games and the other two started 14 and 15 games, respectively.
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Outlook: After playing only three games in 2007, Delhomme took every meaningful snap for the Panthers last season. If he is able to remain healthy, the offense should be solid. For most of the off-season it looked like Julius Peppers had played his final game in Carolina, but he has now signed a new contract for 2009 and should continue his role as an impact player on defense.
Draft Overview: The Panthers were without a first round pick in 2009 and traded their 2010 pick on draft day to secure defensive end Everette Brown from Florida State. Adding Brown looked crucial before the re-signing of Peppers, but he should still make an impact in 2009. Second round pick Sherrod Martin from Troy, will be among those competing to earn the starting cornerback spot vacated by Lucas.
Overall Outlook: The Panthers have a brutal schedule, as the Buffalo Bills are the only team they will play all season that had a losing record in 2008. To repeat their success of a year ago, the Panthers will have to hope they again remain healthy.
Key to Success: Peppers rebounded from a disappointing 2007 season to again rank among the league leaders in sacks. He makes everyone else on the defense better and his presence in the lineup this season is major plus for the defense.
Intangibles: Following a preseason incident that cost him the first two games of the season and threatened to hurt team chemistry, Steve Smith returned to the lineup and had one of the best seasons of his career. His 18.2 yard per catch were a career-high and he had eight games with 100 or more receiving yards.
SBG Global has posted their 2009 NFL Picks odds to win the 2010 Super Bowl:Arizona CARDINALS: +2900
Atlanta FALCONS: +2000
Baltimore RAVENS: +2500
Buffalo BILLS: +8500
Carolina PANTHERS: +3950
Chicago BEARS: +2000
Cincinnati BENGALS: +8500
Cleveland BROWNS: +7500
Dallas COWBOYS: +1400
Denver BRONCOS: +6000
Detroit LIONS: +15000
Green Bay PACKERS: +2500
Houston TEXANS: +2000
Indianapolis COLTS: +1000
Jacksonville JAGUARS: +4500
Kansas City CHIEFS: +7500
Miami DOLPHINS: +3000
Minnesota VIKINGS: +800
New England PATRIOTS: +300
New Orleans SAINTS: +1700
New York GIANTS: +850
New York JETS: +3500
Oakland RAIDERS: +5500
Philadelphia EAGLES: +650
Pittsburgh STEELERS: +700
San Diego CHARGERS: +500
San Francisco 49ERS: +6500
Seattle SEAHAWKS: +3000
St. Louis RAMS: +8500
Tampa Bay BUCCANEERS: +10000
Tennessee TITANS: +2000
Washington REDSKINS: +4850
