The Carolina Panthers are the favoured team in an NFL regular-season game for the first time since December 18, 2022. According to BetMGM, the Panthers are three points ahead of the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. Bryce Young, the quarterback for Carolina, stated that it had no bearing on Sunday. “The score will begin at zero. Throughout the week, we must exert every effort to position ourselves for optimal performance. We hold them in the highest regard. Excellent players, excellent team, and excellent play. We must perform at our highest level. That has no significance.
The Panthers have undoubtedly not benefited from it. The Panthers fell 24-16 when Carolina was the presumptive favourite, ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers by 2.5 points. Carolina, the betting favourite, has lost eight straight games. On September 23, 2021, Carolina defeated the Houston Texans 24-9 as a nine-point favourite, the Panthers’ most recent victory when favoured. Despite having a 3-10 record and losing their last three games, the Panthers are the favourites. After Monday night’s 27–20 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas now has a 5-8 record.
When it comes to playing the Panthers, Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs stated, “Any given Sunday you can lose.” Everybody has talented players. At the end of the day, everyone is a professional, therefore you might win the game with ease if you show up and perform your duties. Thus, they are talented. Former Alabama player Bryce has a lot of arm talent. They have a lot of men because he has receivers, including veteran Adam Thielen.
The Panthers lost seven of their first eight games in 2024 after having the poorest NFL record in 2023. According to Young, the Panthers don’t care if Carolina’s ranking as a favourite demonstrates a renewed regard for the team.
Our motivation comes from within,” Young stated. “I suppose it is what it is because we worry about ourselves, worry about ourselves, and want to be the best versions of ourselves.” Young has rushed 105 times for one touchdown on 19 runs and completed 97-of-166 passes for 1,049 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions in the last five games. After defeating division leaders in their last three games, the Panthers won the first two of those games. Six points was the biggest final margin in any of the games.
Carolina defeated the New York Giants 20-17 in overtime on November 10 and defeated the New Orleans Saints 23-22 on a touchdown with 2:18 left on November 3. The Panthers lost Dec. 1 to Tampa Bay 26-23 after the Buccaneers kicked a field goal on the last play of the fourth quarter and won in overtime following a Carolina fumble, Dec. 8 to Philadelphia 22-16 after the Panthers were stopped on downs at the Eagles 32 in the final minute, and Nov. 24 to Kansas City 30-27 after the Chiefs responded to a touchdown and 2-point conversion with 1:46 remaining with a tie-breaking field goal on the final play.
“With the opportunity to go try to win the game, where else would you rather be?” “Young said.” Once more, we clearly failed to complete it, and we need to improve on that. Me in front of the mirror once more. We’re all staring at ourselves in the mirror. We all own that as a team. didn’t finish it, but those are huge chances. That is undoubtedly a significant portion of the league. I believe I view it as a chance because there are so many close games. We all view it that way, and we all feel at ease in those circumstances.