The Panthers were listed Monday at 7-1 and the Patriots 8-1 at the William Hill Race & Sports Book, while Pregame.com set the line for New England at 9-1 and Carolina 10-1.
Oddsmakers didn't even wait until the Panthers finished off the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday to install them as favorites in the game two weeks from now.
Cam Newton threw for two touchdowns and ran for two others, and Carolina's big-play defense stifled Arizona's top-ranked offense in a 49-15 romp Sunday for the NFC championship.