James Alberino
Both defensive lines have the advantage over the offensive lines in this game. The Rams lost 2 interior offensive lineman from last year’s team and their Center Bryan Allen is making his first NFL start. He’s facing Dontari Poe and a front 7 that’s scary and upgraded big time in the offseason by adding Gerald McCoy next to Mario Addison and Kawann Short. The Rams averaged 10.4 ppg less on the road last year than at home and CJ Anderson is no longer in Los Angeles to backup Gurley. Carolina’s defense is very good overall and they have the corners to compete against the Rams’ offense. Expect Carolina to run the ball a lot and run the clock with McCaffrey against a run defense that was one of the worst last year in the NFL and didn’t do much to change that. Cam will throw on a lot of short routes to avoid Aaron Donald and the Rams’ pass rush. Greg Olsen was even quoted this week saying “it’s on the WRs to get open quickly” when asked how the Panthers can move the ball against the Rams pass rush. I think Ron Rivera is going to try to win this game with defense and I can see this total finishing in the 44-47 range. The Panthers have gone Under in 6 of their last 7 Week 1 games. Under 50.
