Panthers vs. Saints 2013 odds: New Orleans the favorite in NFC South clash

The New Orleans Saints host the Carolina Panthers in one of the biggest games of Week 14. Vegas anticipates a close game -- according to OddsShark, the Saints are favored by three or 3.5 points. The line opened at -4.5 in New Orleans' favor, but dropped after Monday night's shellacking.

The Saints are smarting from a beatdown in Seattle. The Seahawks demolished New Orleans, 34-7, to take control of the top spot in the NFC. The Saints were 6.5-point underdogs, but never came close to covering. They're now tied with Carolina for first place in the division. New Orleans fell to 9-3 and 6-5-1 against the spread. Drew Brees had one of the worst games of his career, throwing for fewer than 200 yards for the first time in 43 games.

The Panthers are still riding high, winning their eighth straight game last week. They dispatched the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 27-6. Carolina was a seven-point favorite and easily covered. The Panthers are 9-3 in the standings and 8-4 against the spread. These two teams play each other twice over the final four games, both of which could determine the No. 2 and No. 5 seeds in the playoffs.