NFL betting lines handicappers could very well find a hidden gem in the preseason with the new look Carolina Panthers as they could be a sports betting bargain.

Carolina finished 8-8 straight up last year while going 9-7 against the spread as 10 of their games went under the total.

The respectable finish covers up the fact that Carolina fell flat on its face out of the gate in 2009 as they lost their first three games straight up and failed to cover their first four games against the spread. The Panthers finally cut ties with long time quarterback Jake Delhomme after he had a disastrous season that ended up with him losing his job to Matt Moore. It was one of many changes that have been made as Carolina tries to get back on track.

The new look Panthers open the preseason on Thursday at Baltimore against the Ravens. SBG Global.com Sportsbook opened with Baltimore as a 3-point favorite with a total at 34. ESPN will televise the game with an 8:05 Eastern kickoff time.

Moore is now the clear cut starter and does have some weapons starting with running backs Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams, who became the first tandem in NFL history to each run for over 1100 yards.

“I just try and be myself,” said Moore, who had 8 touchdown passes last year with just 2 interceptions. “I think that is the approach I always try to take.”

Head coach John Fox likes the progression he has seen from Moore.

“I think it’s kind of a natural progression,” Fox said. “All of a sudden you’re the starting quarterback, and with that the come responsibility. He’s got those abilities. He has those intangibles.”

Carolina’s defense was a mixed bag last year as it finished 8th overall for total yards allowed and 9th for points permitted. The pass defense was strong as it ranked 4th in the NFL but the rush defense was weak as it was 22nd for in the league for yards permitted and that caused the Panthers to remake the front wall as 3 starters are gone, including star Julius Peppers.

Fox is on the final year of his contract as well as the hot seat after the steep drop last year from 2008 when the Panthers were the top seed in the NFC. That makes the rebuilding season of 2010 more of a high stakes gamble as Fox won’t survive another year that ends without the playoffs.