Divisional Playoffs: Picks Against the Spread

Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

49ers @ Panthers +2 — O/U 42

If you like defense, boy do I have the matchup for you! I look at that O/U and wonder how they can make it that high? The Panthers give up less than 20 points a game at home this year. The Patriots and the Jets are the only two teams that have cracked that barrier vs. this Carolina team there all season. The 49ers didn’t do all that well vs. a porous Packer defense last week. Sure weather conditions were partially responsible, but the 49ers lost at home to this very team 10-9 earlier this year.

What has to be looked at here is that, in all likelihood, this will be a one score game. That means any score could likely determine this contest. I’m not sold on the offense of the Panthers in this game. What I am sold on is that these are two of the three best defenses in the league. I’ll not bore you with details, just play the under 42. This one should struggle to get into the mid 30’s.