NFL Week 13 odds: Carolina at Kansas City

There’s not much to watch in this game between Carolina and Kansas City other than the loser will be in a better draft position – the Chiefs as of now would pick No. 1 in next year’s draft.

Cam Newton led the Panthers to a win in Philadelphia on Monday by throwing two touchdown passes in the first half and running for two in the second half. Newton is the first player to have two TD passes in the first half and two TD runs in the second half – or vice-versa – since Jeff Garcia did that for the 49ers against the Saints in 2000.

Newton could be in for another big day against a Chiefs defense that’s surrendered 22 passing touchdowns. Newton threw five TDs and eight interceptions during Carolina’s 1-6 start but has recorded six and two as the Panthers have split their last four games.

Carolina should be one of the more dominating running teams in the NFL with Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams sharing the load. In spite of having those two talented runners, the Panthers are led by quarterback Newton with 446 rushing yards. Even though Stewart missed some time in Monday night’s win over the Eagles, the Panthers need their backs to take some of the pressure off Newton and move the chains on the ground.

The Panthers scored twice in the fourth quarter, on a touchdown and a field goal, while holding the Eagles scoreless. Entering the game, Carolina had not held its opponent scoreless in the fourth quarter in any of its last 23 games, which was tied for the all-time NFL record for consecutive games not blanking a team in the fourth quarter. The only other team in the league’s 93-year history to go through 23 straight games in that manner was the Bengals, who did it in a 23-game stretch over the 1997 and 1998 seasons.

Kansas City (1-10) has struggled offensively and defensively during its losing streak, , averaging 10.4 points in the past seven contests and giving up at least 26 points five times over the eight-game slide. One more loss would match the franchise record. The Chiefs, who dropped nine in a row in 1987 and 2007, rank last in the league with 32 giveaways and 94 red-zone points. They fell to 0-6 at home with a 17-9 loss to Denver on Sunday, managing just 264 yards. The Chiefs have gone more than 173 minutes without a touchdown.

These teams haven’t met in four years.

WAGERWEB.COM OPENING LINE: Panthers -3 (40.5) Check our current lines

PANTHERS NOTES: QB Cam Newton passed for 306 yards, 2 TDs with 125 rating & rushed for 2 TDs last week … In only meeting, RB DeAngelo Williams rushed for 123 yards with 2 TDs & had 25-yard TD catch. Is 1 of 3 career games with 3 scrimmage TDs & only game with both rush & rec. TD … In only meeting, WR Steve Smith had 6 catches for 96 yards. Has 8 career 100-yard games vs. AFC. WR Brandon LaFell aims for 3rd in row with TD. Has 8 catches for 167 yards (20.9 avg.) & 2 TDs in past 2. TE Greg Olsen has 6 career TDs vs. AFC. Has 49 catches & needs 1 for 3rd career 50-catch season. Has 589 rec. yards, his 4th 500-yard season in past 5 years. TE Gary Barnidge had 1st career TD last week … CB Captain Munnerlyn ties for NFL lead with 2 INT-TDs. DE Charles Johnson has 25.5 sacks in past 33. Has 8.5 sacks in past 8. Had sack in last meeting. Has 5 FFs in past 5. DE Greg Hardy has 6 sacks in past 5. Rookie LB Luke Kuechly leads team with 106 tackles. Aims for 3rd in row with FR.

CHIEFS NOTES: Club has won 4 of past 5 at home vs. NFC … In 2 career road starts vs. NFC, QB Brady Quinn has 484 yards with 4 TDs vs. 2 INTs & 88 rating … Club averages 145.6 rush yards per game, best in AFC … In past 3, RB Jamaal Charles has averaged 98 rush yards per game (294 total). Since 2010, averages 108.4 scrimmage yards per game (2,478 rush; 666 rec.). Charles (928) needs 72 yards to reach 1,000 for 3rd time in career (1,120 in ’09; 1,467 in ’10). RB Peyton Hillis rushed for 131 yards on 26 att. (5 avg.) with career-best 3 rush TDs in only meeting vs. Car. (w/ Cle. on 11/28/10) … WR Dwayne Bowe (39) needs TD catch to become 5th player in club history with 40 career … In past 3, TE Tony Moeaki has 9 receptions for 181 yards (20.1 avg.) … LB Tamba Hali has 7 sacks in past 6 vs. NFC. Hali (59.5) has 3rd-most sacks in Chiefs annals (Derrick Thomas, 126.5; Neil Smith, 85.5). LB Justin Houston has career-high 9 sacks this season. Has 4 sacks in 4 career games in Dec. … CB Brandon Flowers posted 3rd INT of season last week.

WAGERWEB.COM TRENDS: Panthers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games when playing on Sunday following a Monday night game. Panthers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a S.U. win. Panthers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS win. Chiefs are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 home games. Chiefs are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game. Chiefs are 0-4 ATS vs. a team with a losing record. Chiefs are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win.