This is football handicapper Sean Treppedi’s first season contributing to The Post’s NFL Bettor’s Guide.
Carolina Panthers (+5) beat LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
I smell a trap game. Fresh off their comeback-from-a-dead win over the Ravens, the Raiders return from the road with a line that moved a point in their favor against the pathetic Panthers.
With the second fewest yards per game and a single touchdown in two weeks, Carolina’s offense can only progress with the experienced presence of Andy Dalton.
Dalton has seen limited action since 2022, but despite playing 227 fewer snaps than Young, he ranks higher among quarterbacks with over 500 games in the categories of expected points per game, success rate, and percentage of games completed above expected.
The Raiders continue to rely on a running-heavy offense, although they average an NFL low of 2.5 yards per run – a shortcoming that could leave the possibility of a breakthrough open for the draft.
New York Giants – Cleveland Browns under 38.5
None of these crimes seem to be self-defeating.
The Browns and Giants rank 29th and 25th, respectively, in offensive DVOA, and here’s why: A banged-up offensive line leaves Deshaun Watson vulnerable and unable to find a rhythm with his receivers. He completes 58.2 percent of his passes and ranks second to last in third-down conversions.
Betting on the NFL?
The Giants also lost spectacularly in Week 2, as Daniel Jones increasingly struggled out of his position behind a stabilizing offensive line and alongside an inconsistent running game.
This unit is unable to respond to pressure and has a turnover rate of 16.7 percent, which should continue to show against a solid Browns defense that leads the NFL in yards allowed per game.
Last week: 1:1. Seahawks (N). Jets (W)
Season: 2-2.
