The Carolina Panthers are +700 to be the last remaining undefeated team in the NFL this season.

No one will be surprised if they’re still perfect after Thursday Night Football.

For the first time ever, the Panthers are first in the Football Outsiders DVOA ratings this week.

While it’s only two games, Carolina has looked impressive on both sides of the football in its back-to-back wins over the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints.

Plus, it’s important to keep in mind that DVOA does account for opponents played.

Tonight, the Panthers visit a team that many expected to be one of the worst in the NFL this season in the Houston Texans.

With Houston down to its third-string QB, the number for tonight’s game has already moved significantly as bettors line up to put their money on Carolina.

Here’s the Morning Coffee for Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021.

Thursday Night Football preps

The early line for Thursday Night Football had the Panthers as a 3.5-point road favourite.

After an injury to Houston quarterback Tyrod Taylor, that number was adjusted to -7 for the opening line with rookie Davis Mills expected to start on a short week for the Texans.

A combination of public and sharp money pushed that number all the way to Carolina -8.5, although you could still find -7.5 and -8 at some spots.

That means it’s last call for anybody interested in teasing the Panthers down through the key numbers in seven and three to a pick’em.

I jumped on Carolina earlier in the week and there’s nothing I’ve seen that makes me regret that decision.

While I locked in a teaser with the Panthers and Arizona Cardinals earlier in the week, I’m still comfortable with giving it now as an official TSN Edge recommendation.

A two-team, seven-point tease gets you Carolina and Arizona to win at -150.

You could get the 6.5 at -135, but I have no problem laying the juice with those two teams to win outright.

In terms of the bigger picture, the Panthers opened the season at +1200 to win the NFC South. They’re now +500 to finish first in the division.

Their Super Bowl winner odds have shortened from 90-to-1 to 55-to-1. 

Circling back to the last remaining undefeated team prop, I’m at least intrigued by Carolina at +700.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Rams will meet on Sunday.

Barring a tie, one of those teams will be crossed off the list.

The San Francisco 49ers will host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football.

If San Francisco loses, that leaves the Denver Broncos and one of the Buccaneers or Rams as the only teams with shorter odds than Carolina to be the last remaining undefeated team.

As for the Panthers’ upcoming schedule, it isn’t exactly loaded.

Tonight: at Houston
Week 4: at Dallas
Week 5: vs. Philadelphia
Week 6: vs. Minnesota
Week 7: at New York Giants
Week 8: at Atlanta Falcons
Week 9: vs. New England Patriots
Week 10: at Arizona Cardinals
Week 11: vs. Washington Football Team
Week 12: at Miami Dolphins
Week 13: Bye
Week 14: vs. Atlanta Falcons

Carolina won’t play a playoff team from 2020 until they host the Washington Football Team in Week 11, and the only reason that team made the playoffs was because they were the best team in a bad NFC East division.

Beyond that, the Panthers visit the Buffalo Bills in Week 15.

I haven’t pulled the trigger on Carolina to go undefeated, but 7-to-1 odds at least has me considering that upcoming schedule for a team that ranks No. 1 overall in DVOA through the first two weeks.  

Perhaps it’s worth a sprinkle.

Another Prop Masters sweep

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats (-6.5) beat the Ottawa Redblacks 24-7 in the CFL Week 8 opener on Wednesday night.

The under 43.5 cashed easily and is now 6-1 in Hamilton’s seven games this season.

Ottawa is 0-5 straight up and against the spread in its last five games. 

While it wasn’t exactly the most exciting game of the season, making a little money certainly made it more fun.

The Prop Masters went a perfect 6-0 with their recommendations for that game, including 4-0 on their player prop picks.

They’ll be back with their best bets on Friday.

Rays want Blue Jays in playoffs

The Tampa Bay Rays dealt the Toronto Blue Jays another blow with a 7-1 win on Wednesday afternoon.

After taking two of three to clinch their third straight playoff berth, Kevin Kiermaier made it clear that he hopes the Rays meet the Blue Jays again in the playoffs.

Ryan Borucki was ejected after hitting Kiermaier with a pitch in the eighth inning. Pitching coach Pete Walker was eventually tossed as well.

A loss to Tampa Bay, combined with the New York Yankees completing their sweep of the Texas Rangers, left Toronto and New York tied for the second American League Wild Card.

The Blue Jays will close out the road portion of their schedule with four in a row against the worst team in the AL Central in the Minnesota Twins beginning tonight.

Meanwhile, the Yankees will open a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Friday night.  

As of this morning, the Red Sox are -1600 to make the playoffs. Toronto’s odds to make the postseason lengthened from -215 to -125. New York is -115 to make the playoffs.