Los Angeles Rams vs. Carolina Panthers Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Matthew Stafford and the Rams Get on Track?

Los Angeles Rams vs. Carolina Panthers Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Matthew Stafford and the Rams Get on Track?

Carolina Panthers vs. Los Angeles Rams Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds

• Date: Sunday, October 16
• Game Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
• Where to Watch: FOX

Panthers vs. Rams Odds

• Spread: Panthers +10 (-105), Rams -10 (-115)
• Total Odds: Over/Under 42 (-110)
• Moneyline: Panthers (+370), Rams (-460)

Click Here for Rams vs Panthers Odds

Two teams with disappointing starts to the season will collide at SoFi Stadium in Week 6. Lots of changes are happening with the Carolina Panthers. After a 1-4 start under third-year head coach Matt Rhule, the first coaching casualty of the season came to fruition. Rhule never won more than five games in a season with Carolina, so Steve Wilkes will fill the head coaching role for the remainder of the 2022 season. Baker Mayfield will also miss time after an underwhelming string of performances due to an ankle injury sustained against San Francisco last weekend.

The Rams struggle to defend their Super Bowl title through the first five weeks. The worst aspect of the offense is its offensive line, which lost several key starters to retirement and injuries. Los Angeles is ranked 32nd in rushing offense, averaging a meager 62.4 yards per game, while Matthew Stafford has been sacked 4.2 times per game. The talent on the defensive side of the line of scrimmage for the Rams remains its strength, but the offense's inability to score consistently is becoming a huge problem.

Can the Rams turn it around and blow out the Carolina Panthers at home? Here are our picks, predictions, and odds for Sunday's game in Inglewood between the Carolina Panthers vs. Los Angeles Rams.

Panthers vs. Rams Injury Report

Panthers

Probable: WR D.J. Moore (Shoulder), LB Frankie Luvu (Shoulder)

Questionable: CB Jaycee Horn (Hip), S Xavier Woods (Hamstring), WR Laviska Shenault Jr. (Hamstring), CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver III (Achilles),

Out: QB Baker Mayfield (Ankle), QB Sam Darnold (Ankle), C Bradley Bozeman (Ankle), S Jeremy Chinn (Hamstring)

Rams

Questionable: TE Tyler Higbee (Ankle), WR Cooper Kupp (Foot), DB Cobie Durant (Hamstring), CB David Long Jr. (Groin), S Taylor Rapp (Ribs)

Out: C Brian Allen (Knee), WR Van Jefferson (Knee)

Los Angeles Rams vs. Carolina Panthers Prediction

To make matters even worse for the Rams, star wideout Cooper Kupp is dealing with a foot injury and remains questionable for Week 6. Tyler Higbee has also been the other target hound in this offense, and he's dealing with a banged-up ankle. The secondary is dealing with a slew of injuries, too, meaning Jalen Ramsey, Aaron Donald, and Bobby Wagner will need to play to their ceiling in a plus-matchup.

Carolina spent a top-ten draft pick on rookie tackle Ikem Ekwonu, but it has not paid off through five weeks. The Panthers offensive line allows 3.4 sacks per game, which means it's also a bottom-five unit in pass protection. Star running back Christian McCaffery has been relatively healthy, but the rushing attack averages under 100 yards per game. The one silver lining is the lack of turnovers, which has kept the Panthers competitive in most games thus far.

P.J. Walker will be the QB1 in Week 6 due to Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold being ruled out due to ankle injuries. The third-year quarterback out of Temple has proven to be a nice commodity in Carolina since entering the league. Walker is 2-0 as a starter, with his most recent win coming against Arizona in Week 10 last year. It was an impressive display from Walker, who led the Panthers to a 34-10 win on the road by completing 22 of 29 passes for 167 yards. In 2020, Walker completed 24 of 34 passes for 258 yards and a touchdown en route to a 20-0 win against Detroit. Granted, he did throw at least one interception in both starts, while the ball carriers found the end zone to generate scoring possessions.

This game could wind up competitive. Carolina's pass defense is its strength, ranking 17th with 218.4 passing yards per game this season. The secondary is banged up, but if Jaycee Horn can play, Stafford could be in for a rude awakening. A hobbled Kupp and Higbee further builds the case for the Panthers to cover as 9.5-point underdogs. However, both of these teams are 1-4 ATS this season. The under has hit in six of the Rams' last seven games. It's a low-point total set at 41, but if neither team can effectively move the ball, points may be hard to come by.

The Rams have scored less than ten points three times this season, albeit against superior defensive units. Carolina's offense has not scored more than 20 points since Week 1, as the defense recorded a fumble-six during Carolina's only win of the season against New Orleans. I like the under in a game filled with injuries, bad offensive lines, and good passing defense.

Los Angeles Rams vs. Carolina Panthers Pick

• Under 42 (-110) (Bet $110 to win $100)

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