Saints, Panthers poised for Thursday-night shootout

Pro Picks has been keeping company with the dregs of the NFL and it’s time that stopped.

Coming off the best weekend of football this season, we need to ramp up our game. We’ll start with what shapes up as a shootout in Charlotte, the Panthers (3-6) playing host to the Saints (4-5).

Both teams figure they should have won on Sunday, but they fell painfully. Carolina blew a big lead against Kansas City, turned over the ball in the dying moments and was beaten by a Chiefs field goal.

Even worse, in what might be the play of the year so far, New Orleans had a late extra point kick blocked and run back by Denver for a defensive two-point conversion. All those points did was win the game.

“As fast as we can get on the field, the better, as far as you want another crack at it,” says the Saints’ Drew Brees. “We let that one go. Usually it’s a 24-hour rule. That one would have to be let go after you woke up Monday because the preparation began on Carolina.”

At least the Panthers didn’t also have to deal with travelling for the Thursday nighter.

New Orleans is a 4½-point underdog at Carolina. That’s too many points in what should be a nail-biter. Considered this one for Best Bet, too.

Top overall pick Jared Goff gets his first shot at QB. And first loss. Seahawks stride. hitting their Cowboys wins seem these days. inevitable Browns losses are inevitable these days. Bengals remain alive in weak AFC North with win. Lions in good shape in another bad North division.

Can’t say same for slumping Vikings, but Cardinals are vulnerable.