Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers Betting Odds, Analysis, NFL Pick

A rematch of last year's NFC Championship Game will take place in Carolina on Sunday as the Panthers (1-5) host the Arizona Cardinals (3-3-1) as small home favorites after the line moved from its opening position as a pick'em.

Carolina crushed Arizona 49-15 to win the NFC title in that last meeting back in January but will be trying to break a four-game losing streak both straight up and against the spread overall this time around.

Point spread: This game opened as a pick'em; the total was 48 early in the week, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. Line updates and matchup report.

NFL pick, via Odds Shark computer: 23.7-23.3 Panthers (NFL picks on every game)

Why the Cardinals can cover the spread

The Cardinals are coming off a grueling 6-6 tie with the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night and would have won had kicker Chandler Catanzaro simply made a 24-yard field goal toward the end of overtime.

Arizona head coach Bruce Arians remains confident in Catanzaro and his team despite the tough loss, and he knows he will be facing a dangerous Panthers squad that is hungry for a victory off its bye week. The good news is the Cardinals are 8-1 SU in their last nine versus teams with losing records, and they will be out for revenge.

Why the Panthers can cover the spread

The bye could not have come at a better time for Carolina as the players try to pick up the pieces and salvage their season after going an NFL-best 15-1 a year ago. How the Panthers respond remains to be seen, but they are a well-coached team like Arizona and still have one of the best players in the league in reigning MVP Cam Newton.

Surprisingly, Newton's numbers are nearly identical to last season outside of throwing two more interceptions, so it is up to the defense to play better and support him. The Panthers dominated the Cardinals last time and can beat them again here.

Smart pick

While Carolina has lost twice at home already this year, the team was unbeaten at Bank of America Stadium last season. The Panthers have won eight of 10 SU and ATS there after failing to cover the spread in their previous home game, and Arizona is just 3-7 ATS in its last 10 overall. Take Carolina to bounce back big in this spot.

Betting trends

The total has gone over in seven of the Panthers' last 10 games at home.

The Cardinals are 8-1 SU in their last nine games against teams with losing records.

The Cardinals are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games.

All NFL betting lines and point spreads data courtesy of Bleacher Report’s official odds partner Odds Shark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line movement updates and Odds Shark YouTube for picks and analysis, or download the free odds tracker app.