2022 NFL Predictions: Does The Baker Mayfield Trade Impact The Panthers' Win Total?

2022 NFL Predictions: Does The Baker Mayfield Trade Impact The Panthers' Win Total?

The NFL season is now exactly two months away and I can not wait for the year to begin. All we can do until then is bet on futures. That is what we are going to get into with this article. I will be looking at the Carolina Panthers team total on wins, which is currently sitting at 6.5 at plus money.

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2022 NFL Prediction - Carolina Panthers Prediction

The Panthers made headlines this week when they traded for former No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield in exchange for a fifth round pick. The departure of Mayfield in Cleveland was a messy one but now he will likely get a chance to prove himself as the starter for the Panthers.

The Panthers did draft Matt Corral out of Ole Miss this year and still have Sam Darnold on their roster. But, my guess is Mayfield gets the nod above both of these quarterbacks. Mayfield will be playing with a chip on his shoulder this season and I believe he will have a great year. I am taking the Panthers over 6.5 wins.

I know a lot of people are out on the Baker hype but I am unsure why. Sure, he did not have a great year last season but he was playing with an injured shoulder that required surgery. Mayfield has shown in the past how dominant he can be and in Carolina he is going to get chances to spread the offense and throw the ball. Mayfield's numbers have not been as good the last two years but I believe a lot of that has to due to with the lack of creativity and trust the Browns gave him.

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The Browns have ranked toward the top of the league the last two years in rushing attempts per game, which limits what Baker can do. While they had two great backs and a good line, this obviously hurt Baker's numbers compared to the year before when they ranked toward the bottom of the league in rushing.

In Carolina, I think he will have an opportunity to throw the ball much more and use his legs. He now has one of the best receiving running backs the game has seen and a top wide out in DJ Moore. If you look at Carolina's schedule, they have a lot of winnable games.

Their own division is not deep, outside of Tampa, so I would give them three wins in division and I think they can get four outside of the division. I would be shocked if Deshaun Watson plays Week 1 for Cleveland and at home I’d give the Panthers the advantage there. They also play the Giants, Seahawks, Steelers and Lions, which look like games in which they'll be favored. I love this number at plus money. Let’s cash this in.

2022 NFL Prediction - Carolina Panthers Pick

• Pick: Carolina Panthers Team Total Over 6.5 @ +105 (Bet $100 to win $105)