ESPN Chalk's Vegas experts are here to provide analysis and best bets for all Week 2 games, including the San Francisco-Carolina matchup on Sunday.
Note: Odds courtesy of the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook as of Friday morning.
Home page for all Week 2 games
Matchup: San Francisco 49ers at Carolina Panthers
Spread: Opened Carolina -13.5; now Carolina -13.5
Total: Opened 48.5; now 45
PickCenter public consensus pick: 51 percent Carolina
Public perception: The public is split on this game, though mostly because the line is so high; otherwise the Panthers would get a lot more support than the 49ers (even with a 28-0 shutout of the Rams because it was, well, the Rams).
Wiseguys' view: Several books opened this as high as Carolina -14, but early sharps grabbed those and the line has settled just shy of two TDs. Huge lines like this are usually 'dog-or-pass for wiseguys as they're not going to lay -13.5 with any team.
Dave Tuley's take: I love double-digit NFL underdogs and was all over the Dolphins +10.5 last week; I see no reason why the 49ers can't stay within the inflated number. I don't expect San Francisco's D to pitch another shutout, but it should contain Cam Newton at least a little and the offense looked better than expected with Blaine Gabbert and mixing in the running game with Carlos Hyde. Besides, the NFL Vegas Rankings (3-0 last week) have this as a value play as the Panthers are rated 7.5 points better than the 49ers on a neutral field, but we believe that should only increase this line to 10 or 10.5 with Carolina's home field. It looks like we're getting a field goal of value.
The pick: 49ers +13.5*
Mike Clay:
Projected score: Carolina 29, San Francisco 17
The pick: San Francisco and the over