NFL Betting – Is Newton Enough in Carolina?

Quarterback Cam Newton was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in 2011 and instantly made the Panthers a better offensive football team. He didn't need a running game because he was his own running game. But the online sports betting experts were impressed with how well Newton and veteran wide receiver Steve Smith clicked. The Panthers finally, for the first time in its history, have a franchise quarterback it can build a winning team around. The only question is; what is the team doing to build that winner?

Newton instantly vaulted a dysfunctional Carolina offense from the bottom of the league all the way up to being ranked seventh overall in 2011. But the football betting experts are quick to point out that offense sells tickets, but defense wins championships. Defense is where the Carolina Panthers have been focusing on during this off-season, and the team made some very interesting moves.

Offense

Steve Smith re-signed with the Panthers and Carolina has its offense in place. The thing that made the Carolina offense go last year was Newton. This year, the team is hoping to give Newton some help with the ground game and a better offensive line. The Panthers do not have a lot of offensive weapons as of yet, and that is scary when you consider how many yards and points the team put up last year. The online football betting crowd is interested to see if fourth round pick wide receiver Joe Adams can be that speed compliment to Smith.

The rest of the offense is still in transition. DeAngelo Williams anchors a running game that also features Jonathan Stewart. If this two-headed running attack can keep some pressure off of Newton, then the Panthers may just have something on offense.

Defense

With the ninth pick overall in the 2012 draft, the Carolina Panthers took inside linebacker Luke Kuechly. In the fourth round, the Panthers took defensive end Frank Alexander. If you bet on sports, then you know that the Panthers cannot afford to have these two draft picks fail. Carolina did not get involved in trying to pick up highly touted free agents like Mario Williams. So the Panthers will have to make due with its draft picks. Kuechly has speed and Alexander has power, but it remains to be seen if the two of them can make an immediate impact in the NFL.

The rest of the Panthers' defense just needs to work on fundamentals like tackling and watching the quarterback on passing plays. There are good pieces to work with on the Carolina defense. They just need to be moved into their proper places.

Outlook

The Carolina Panthers are not a playoff team just yet. The team will have to see how the new draft picks react to the pressure of the NFL before deciding if Carolina is building a winning team, or if it is just relying too much on Cam Newton.

Read more about the Panthers and its playoff push.