The Carolina Panthers may have just taken the first steps towards a new era in franchise history, but the expectations from the outside remain the same.
At 1-4, Steve Wilks’ Panthers have opened as substantial underdogs to the 2-3 Los Angeles Rams in Week 6. Tipico Sportsbook currently has the spread for Sunday’s matchup at 10.5 points.
With Matt Rhule now out, Wilks inherits a bit of a sloppy shop—one that ranks dead last in total yards per game (271.4) and currently lays claim to the No. 1 overall pick for the 2023 draft. So, yeah, they’re—for all intents and purposes—the worst the league has to offer at the moment.
And not only will they have a new head coach for their trip out west, but they’ll also likely have a new starting quarterback. As both Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold continue to deal with their high-ankle sprains, PJ Walker is in line to get the nod.
What could make this game interesting, however, is that these aren’t the same Rams who hoisted the Lombardi Trophy back in February. Head coach Sean McVay’s offense ranks 26th in total offense (299.8 yards per game) and 29th in scoring (16.0 points per game).
