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The 49ers and Panthers collide on “Monday Night Football,” as Christian McCaffrey takes a trip down memory lane.
CMC will take the field donning red and gold as an opponent, lining up for the first time against the team that selected him eighth overall in the 2017 NFL Draft.
San Francisco is a 7.5-point favorite in this contest. Oddsmakers have McCaffrey’s odds of hitting pay dirt juiced as high as -370 at some sportsbooks.
Panthers vs. 49ers odds, prediction
After starting the season 0-3 on the road, the Panthers have covered the spread in three consecutive wins away from home.
Quarterback Bryce Young threw for a career-best 448 yards and three touchdowns in Week 11, leading the Panthers to an overtime win against division foe Atlanta.
Rookie Tetairoa McMillan has emerged as the top target in Carolina; he leads the team in all major statistical categories and could have another huge day.
The rushing prowess of Rico Dowdle balances a Carolina offense that puts up 127.9 yards per game on the ground, good enough for the ninth best in football.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) reacts to a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
DraftKings has the Panthers team total listed at a respectable 20.5 points, while the 49ers, who have finally got the band back together on offense, are coming in with a projection of 29 total points.
For the third time this season, the trio of McCaffrey, Brock Purdy, and George Kittle will share the field. The 49ers are 2-0 when all three suit up.
San Francisco will also feature a healthier group at wide receiver, with Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings carrying no injury designations for this one.
Betting on the NFL?
I foresee Kyle Shanahan peppering McCaffrey with ample opportunities as a rusher and receiver for this revenge game. Even when the ball is not in his hands, he deploys as the perfect decoy to create space for other playmakers.
Entering Week 12, CMC’s 707 rushing yards, 74 receptions, 732 receiving yards, and 11 all-purpose touchdowns lead the team.
Carolina has also given up some huge games on the ground, most recently a two-touchdown day to Bijan Robinson. In Week 8, James Cook torched the Panthers en route to a 216-yard, two-touchdown performance as well.
With his anytime touchdown line completely watered down, I’m upping the ante, confident he’ll cross the pylon twice on Monday night.
The Plays: McCaffrey to score 2+ touchdowns (+150, FanDuel) + OVER 120.5 rush + receiving yards (-114, DraftKings)
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Mike Turay is a sports journalist and editor who closely follows the NBA, NFL, college sports and UFC. He has demonstrated expertise in both NBA and NFL player prop bets for nearly three years. Mike is also highly knowledgeable about the sportsbook offer landscape, frequently trying and reviewing the latest apps and sites.