Panthers vs. Packers injury report, odds, spread: Christian McCaffrey likely out; Curtis Samuel, Russell Okung in question Saturday

The Green Bay Packers already have clinched the NFC North but could take another step toward the top seed in the conference and the lone first-round postseason bye with a win over the visiting Carolina Panthers on Saturday night – shown on the NFL Network only. While the Packers are very healthy, the Panthers almost surely will be without All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey again and could be without big-play wideout Curtis Samuel and left tackle Russell Okung. The Packers are 8.5-point favorites on the William Hill Sportsbook NFL odds.

Rather amazingly this late in the season and on a short week, the Packers don't have a single key contributor on the injury report. There was some early-week concern about linebacker Rashan Gary after he injured a hip last Sunday vs. Detroit, but the former Michigan star is good to go. Gary is second on the team with five sacks and 3.5 of those have come in his past four games.

During a three-game winning streak (2-1 ATS), Aaron Rodgers has closed the gap on Patrick Mahomes as the William Hill MVP betting favorite. Rodgers has 11 touchdowns (one rushing) in that span without an interception and is now +190 to win a third MVP, while Mahomes is -240.

McCaffrey has been limited to only three games this season due to various injuries, and at this point it's a bit strange the Panthers haven't just shut him down – they probably will. He's listed as doubtful with a quad injury; Mr. 1000/1000 also has dealt with ankle and shoulder injuries this year. Technically, the Panthers are still alive for an NFC Wild-Card spot but would be eliminated with a loss. Mike Davis would continue as the featured back.

Samuel, a pending free agent, is questionable with a hamstring injury – he wasn't on the injury report until Thursday. Samuel has 724 yards from scrimmage and five total touchdowns in 12 games this year. Also questionable is left tackle Russell Okung with a calf problem. He has been in and out of the lineup all year and not considered likely to play. Safety Tre Boston and defensive end Efe Obada are both questionable but trending toward suiting up.

Be wary betting against Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater as he's an incredible 17-2 against the spread in his career as a road underdog. He is 7-1 ATS as at least a touchdown road underdog but his teams have lost all eight games.

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