Originally posted on 01/20/2016:

I like it too because the Carolina Panthers are the correct bet this week
to go to the Superbowl and it's fine to lay 3 as that is no more
than the standard home-field advantage displacement.
Carolina has far more than your average home-field advantage.
They are undefeated at BkofAma Stadium this season.
Whereas Arizona was fortunate to squeak by a tired Packer team,
Carolina always kept Seattle at arms-length. They scored 31 points
against Seattle; if they can do that they can do it plus+ to Arizona.
Arizona's defense is not going to stop Cam Newton.
Cam has established targets to throw the ball to. I can see Olsen
gaining plenty of extra yardage against the Arizona midfield.
It's going to be a confusing day for the Cardinals on the DL.
Panthers can game them any way they want.
Arizona does not have a game-changing running back. They
are going to have to rely on the pass to stay competitive.
Unfortunately they are facing one of the most aggressive pass
defenses in the NFL. Carolina is tied for the lead this year
in forced fumbles (22). Arizona also accomplished 22 forced
fumbles, however the Carolina offense actually has the lowest
number of committed fumbles in the NFL. That is noteworthy.
Carolina also has a strong sack resume, ranking 6th.
Did I mention yet that the Carolina defense leads the NFL
in interceptions ? Number one. Carolina sports the highest
turnover differential in the NFL, at +20. For some perspective,
the nearest competitor was Kansas City at +14.
Looking at Arizona's schedule, I suspect they aren't ready for
this Carolina offense either. They can plan-up but on the field
they have not faced any significant dual-threat quarterbacks.
It's one thing to beat up the 49ers and Rams, Baltimore
and Cleveland Browns, but quite another to stop Cam Newton.
Not so much that they can't physically stop him if they are fast
to identify a run option, but rather that they have not been challenged
by an offense that presents full spectrum threats like Carolina does.
On the other hand, Carolina has won all it's games against pass threats
that are on par with Arizona, such as the Giants, Saints, Falcons,
Colts and Packers.
This Sunday I'll be taking the Panthers -3, undefeated at home,
for reasons stated above. Take note, that if you lean Arizona in
this game because Carolina has a habit of coughing up big leads
(but winning anyway), coach Rivera and his team are on that.
Anything can happen in the NFL playoffs, but I'm confident that
Carolina is the best bet on the board, and that they will be
in Superbowl 50.