Panthers vs. Raiders prediction, odds, picks for NFL Week 3

The Carolina Panthers look to bounce back from their quarterback controversy as they travel to Las Vegas to face the Raiders. The Panthers are winless to start the season while the Raiders have a 1-1 record following their surprise win in Week 2. It's time to continue our NFL odds series with a prediction and pick for the Panthers vs. Raiders.

You can't have a worse game than the Panthers' last week against the Los Angeles Chargers. It's no surprise that the team announced after the game that Bryce Young was traded, as he only managed 84 passing yards and one interception. The running game wasn't much better, as Chuba Hubbard was the best man on the ground with just 64 yards. The Panthers didn't run often, but they averaged five yards per play on the ground. Their defense was a problem, as they also allowed five yards per play on the ground. The Chargers controlled the game and their runs were predictable, which makes it even more concerning.

The Raiders were down 10 points against the Baltimore Ravens when they got the ball with 12 minutes left in the fourth quarter. The Antonio Pierce-led team showed their toughness, scoring 13 straight points to win the game with a 38-yard field goal from Daniel Carlson. Gardner Minshew looked like a valuable starting quarterback, throwing for 276 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The defense was a catalyst for the success, holding Lamar Jackson to just 292 total yards.

Here are the NFL odds, courtesy of FanDuel.

NFL Odds: Panthers-Raiders Odds

Carolina Panthers: +6.5 (-120)

Money line: +225

Las Vegas Raiders: -6.5 (-102)

Money line: -275

Over: 39.5 (-115)

Under: 39.5 (-105)

How to watch Panthers vs. Raiders

Time: 4:05 p.m. ET/1:05 p.m. PT

TV: CBS

Stream: fuboTV (Free Trial)

Why the Panthers could cover/win the spread

The Panthers have struggled under Bryce Young and it seems like Andy Dalton could give them a better chance to win. Dalton was Young's backup last season and played in just one game despite the starter's struggles. Dalton lost that game but had a successful day personally, completing 58.6% of his passes for 361 yards and two touchdowns.

Why the Raiders could cover/win the spread

If there's anything that could keep Dalton from being successful in this game, it's a vicious pass rush. Dalton could be up against one of the best opponents in this game, as Maxx Crosby has been rushing him through the line of scrimmage for four quarters. Crosby has 11 tackles, three sacks, and five tackles for loss in two games.

There was a massive overreaction in the betting market to Young's substitution, as the Raiders were favored by seven points and the number dropped to five. Dalton could give the Panthers a facelift, but it's unlikely he can change the outcome of this game by two points. It's not like Young is the Panthers' only problem. The Panthers also have one of the worst defenses in football and have holes all over their roster.

Final Panthers-Raiders Prediction and Pick

Bryce Young is the scapegoat for a Panthers roster that isn't built to win. It's an expensive scapegoat to blame on your former first-round pick, but it's no surprise considering how the Panthers are run. No one wants to support Carolina until they solve their problems, so we're betting on the Raiders to continue the Panthers' problems in this matchup.

Final Panthers-Raiders prediction and pick: Raiders -6.5 (-102)