The Panthers are generating some momentum following their bye winning two in a row. I was considering riding them at home laying a field goal against what I believe is an overrated Chiefs squad. But now it looks like Carolina will be without two key offensive linemen. Left tackle Michael Oher is out with a concussion and Pro Bowl center Ryan Kalil isn’t expected to play either. He’s still bothered by a shoulder injury that caused him to miss last Sunday when the Panthers managed only 13 points against the Rams.
I find it tempting to go Over a total that is less than 41 just because the rules nowadays are so skewed in favor of the offense. You get an officiating crew like Jerome Boger’s merry band of whistle blowers and you’re going to get a flag every time a defender breathes on a receiver. There is one over/under less than 41 on this week’s board and that’s the Rams-Jets. Two things, however, scare me off an Over – the possibility of Bryce Petty starting at quarterback and Jets offensive line injuries to left tackle Ryan Clady and center Nick Mangold. Clady is done for the season with a torn rotator cuff in his shoulder while Mangold has been ruled out with ankle and knee injuries.
There is conflicting information about Doug Martin playing this week for the Buccaneers. He’s been out nearly two months with a hamstring injury. My guess is that Martin will be active but will only see limited action. That means Peyton Barber, or is that Tiki Manning, would be Tampa Bay’s primary ball-carrier. Barber is the Buccaneers’ fifth-string tailback. All the others ahead of him are injured. The Buccaneers could have Barry Sanders and they probably wouldn’t win simply because they’re playing at home. Tampa Bay has managed to lose 17 of its last 20 home games, including all four this season. How is this possible? Have Dirk Koetter, Lovie Smith, Greg Schiano and Raheem Morris be your last four head coaches and you’ll find out.
Forget Nick Perry. He’s nothing without Clay Matthews and the Packers are going to be missing Matthews for the third straight game because of a lingering hamstring injury. The Packers can not generate a pass rush minus Matthews. The Packers have to be careful about blitzing dealing with a depleted secondary that is minus their three top cornerbacks.
