Panthers vs. Bills 2013 odds: Carolina a slight favorite on the road

The Bills are at home, but Carolina is the favorite according to the oddsmakers.

By Mark Sandritter Sep 12, 2013, 8:00am EDT

The Buffalo Bills nearly upset the New England Patriots at home last week, despite opening as a 10-point underdog, but that close call didn't do much to inspire the oddsmakers. Buffalo is again an underdog this week, even though it is playing at home and facing the 0-1 Carolina Panthers. The Panthers opened as three-point road favorites, according to OddsShark.

More on this matchup: Buffalo Rumblings Cat Scratch Reader

Both teams suffered narrow losses in Week 1 with Carolina losing to Seattle at home 12-7 and Buffalo losing to New England 23-21 on a field goal as time expired. The Panthers' defense played well against the Seahawks, limiting Seattle's strong rushing attack to 70 yards. The offense, however, struggled with Cam Newton throwing for a career-low 125 yards.

Buffalo exceeded expectations against the Patriots, nearly pulling off the upset in the first start of EJ Manuel's career. The Bills finished with 6-10 records in each of the last two seasons, but have been a much better team at home, going 9-7 in home games since 2011. Buffalo has been a favored in 10 of those games and is 9-8 against the spread at home, counting the New England game.

Since joining the NFL in 1995, the Panthers have faced the Bills five times with Buffalo winning four of the five games. The Bills are 3-2 against the spread in those contests. The over for Sunday's game opened at 44 points, meaning oddsmakers expect a better offensive performance out of Carolina after the Panthers were held to seven points last week.