2007 S/U 7-9; ATS 8-8; O/U 6-10

2007 SPREAD FACT:: Covered Final 3 Games of 2007 season

2007 SPREAD FACT: 2-0 as a Road Favorite

1-3 as a Favorite at Home

2007 TOTAL FACT: Totals Line 39 or Higher 7-0 Under Totals- 6-2 Under at home

OFFENSIVE ANAYLSIS:

The Panthers offensive woes in 2007 can be attributed in a large part to the injuries to QB Jake Delhomme; a healthy Delhomme should provide a remedy. Carolina front office announces that Jake is in fact healthy and will be ready to start the ’08 season. Mushin Muhammad returns to the Panthers as a much-needed 2nd receiver and D.J. Hackett has been added as a 3rd WR. The upgrades made to the receiving game will open up the Carolina passing game and prevent teams from automatically double-teaming WR Steve Smith. Expect the Panthers to get back to basics on offense this season and play powerful, physical football. The addition of #1 draft pick RB Jonathan Stewart makes controlling the line of scrimmage a priority and will run ball to set up the pass.

DEFENSIVE ANALYSIS:

The Panthers defense may not be as physically dominant as prior years, but does have speed. The entire DL is basically new with the exception of veteran DE Julius Pepper, who is moving to the right side. John Fox is a defensive-oriented coach and will continue to have his defense ready to play every Sunday.

TEAM ANALYSIS:

Head Coach John Fox needs to have a winning season to keep his job. If the Panthers can avoid injuries to key players, they will not disappoint him. Carolina played poorly in 2007, yet still managed to cover the spread 7 times. They won 7 games S/U starting QB’s Delhomme, David Carr, Vinny Testaverde and Matt Moore. Despite injuries and poor performances last year, this team never quits and won 2 of their final 3.games and covered all three.