Plenty to play for Thursday evening
Panthers, Eagles sit atop NFC standings
We get another enticing Thursday night matchup.
A week after the Patriots beat the Buccaneers in a tight prime-timer, division leaders Philadelphia and Carolina go at it in Charlotte. These two are tied with the Packers for the best record in the NFC at 4-1. The Panthers have been impressive with road wins at New England and Detroit, and the Eagles might be arriving a year ahead of schedule as they sit atop the NFC East.
Cam Newton might be struggling off the field with unwise comments, but behind centre he has completed 77 per cent of his passes for 671 yards, six touchdowns and one interception in the past two games.
“We went through a rough patch early on with the quarterback because he was still working himself back into football shape,” coach Ron Rivera said. “He’s starting to feel better and better and stronger and stronger.”
Carolina is a 3.5-point favourite over Philadelphia. The winner must be considered a dangerous playoff contender. Panthers, 26-23 New England (minus 9.5) at N.Y. Jets We expect reality to settle in at the Meadowlands. If the NFL has any reality this year. Best bet: Patriots, 45-17 Tampa Bay (minus 2.5) at Arizona Still not ready to trust the Bucs on the road. Upset special: Cardinals, 21-20 N.Y. Giants (plus 12) at Denver Tempted to make this the best bet with Giants banged-up and inept. Broncos, 22-6 Pittsburgh (plus 4) at Kansas City Afraid we didn’t learn our lesson with the Steelers’ flop vs. Jaguars. Steelers, 24-23 Green Bay (minus 3.5) at Minnesota The Packers look better away from Lambeau than at it. Packers, 29-13 Cleveland (plus 10) at Houston Injuries will probably cost the Texans a division title. It won’t cost them much here. Texans, 23-10 L.A. Rams (plus 3) at Jacksonville Two teams that have surprised. Jaguars, 21-16 Detroit (plus 4.5) at New Orleans Rested Saints get enigmatic Lions. Spread seems high, shootout likely. Saints, 34-31 Miami (plus 11.5) at Atlanta Another rested NFC South team ready to pounce. Falcons, 27-13 San Francisco (plus 9.5) at Washington Niners playing everyone tough, even if they can’t win. Redskins, 26-20 Chicago (plus 7) at Baltimore Young man Trubisky, meet veteran sackmaster Terrell Suggs. Ouch! Ravens, 20-3 L.A. Chargers (plus 3) at Oakland Derek Carr’s return key to Raiders. Raiders, 22-20 Indianapolis (OFF) at Tennessee, Monday night No Luck? No Mariota? No way we’re watching. Titans, 20-13 2017 RECORD: Last week: Against spread, 10-3; straight up, 8-6
Season totals: Against spread, 37-36-1; straight up, 46-31
Best bet: 3-2 against spread, 3-2 straight up Upset special: 5-0 against spread,
5-0 straight up The Associated Press