Matt Ehalt, serving as the Post’s sports gambling editor/producer and digital sports editor, returns for another season of insights in the NFL Bettor’s Guide.
49ERS (+4) over Rams
In one of the most surprising outcomes of Week 5, the 49ers emerged victorious over the Rams with a 26-23 win in overtime.
Dominating much of the match, San Francisco took a commanding 20-7 lead in the third quarter, only for the Rams to mount a comeback in the fourth, pushing the game into overtime.
Now, with the advantage of playing on their home turf, the 49ers are set to receive more than a field goal.
While the Rams remain the superior team and are rightfully the favorites, the 49ers are poised to keep the contest tight and could potentially claim victory.
With Mac Jones thriving in Kyle Shanahan’s system and the potential return of Brock Purdy, along with the dual-threat capabilities of Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco could influence the game significantly both on the ground and through the air.
Jones completed 33 of 49 passes for 342 yards and two touchdowns in that contest, with Kendrick Bourne finding open lanes all night.
PANTHERS (-4.5) over Saints
Don’t look now, but the Panthers are suddenly NFC playoff contenders.
Sunday’s upset over the Packers gave them four wins in five games, and they now head home to welcome Tyler Shough for his second career start – and he won’t have Rashid Shaheed on his side.
Betting on the NFL?
If you take away the Bills debacle with Andy Dalton under center, the Panthers are 3-0 at home and averaged 29 points in those three victories over the Falcons, Dolphins, and Cowboys.
The Saints, meanwhile, are a disaster. They’ve lost each road game this year by at least 12 points, and just yielded 171 rushing yards to the Rams.
Whether Rico Dowdle is healthy or not, it won’t matter in this one. The Panthers are going to roll to an easy win and can win this game by a touchdown or more.
2025 record: 5-12-1
Last week: 1-1; 49ers (W); Lions (L)
