Saints, Panthers set for shootout in divisional battle
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 for 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. Panthers, 31-30 NEW ENGLAND (-14) AT SAN FRANCISCO
Just what the 49ers need, ticked off Patriots coming to town. Best Best: Patriots, 37-20 TENNESSEE (+3½) AT INDIANAPOLIS Time for a statement win. Upset Special: Titans, 33-31 CHICAGO (+5½) AT NEW YORK GIANTS
Thought about this one for Best Bet. Giants, 27-13 HOUSTON (+3) VS. OAKLAND AT MEXICO CITY, MONDAY NIGHT
Considered this one for Best Bet, too. Raiders, 30-20 MIAMI (PICK-EM) AT LOS ANGELES
Top overall pick Jared Goff gets his first start at QB. And his first loss. Dolphins, 20-13 PHILADELPHIA (+6) AT SEATTLE
Seahawks hitting their stride, but Eagles will test them. Seahawks, 20-17 BALTIMORE (+5½) AT DALLAS
Cowboys wins seem inevitable these days. Cowboys, 28-13 PITTSBURGH (+7½) AT CLEVELAND
Browns losses are inevitable these days. Steelers, 33-23 BUFFALO (+4) AT CINCINNATI
Bengals’ season is at stake. They stay alive in weak AFC North with win. Bengals, 21-20 JACKSONVILLE (+6) AT DETROIT
Lions in good shape in bad NFC North. Lions, 34-19 ARIZONA (-1) AT MINNESOTA
Can’t say same for slumping Vikings, but Cardinals are vulnerable. Vikings, 16-14 GREEN BAY (+2½) AT WASHINGTON
Just can’t pick the Packers right now. Redskins, 26-23 TAMPA BAY (+7½) AT KANSAS CITY
Chiefs quietly stating case for top AFC spot. Chiefs, 23-21 Last Week: Against spread (3-10). Straight up: (6-8) Season Totals: Against spread (6375-6). Straight up: (81-63-2) Best Bet: 5-5 against spread, 6-4 straight up. Upset special: 5-4-1 against spread, 5-5 straight up