NFL
Panthers/Packers Over 46.5 (loss)
Rotation #109-110 / 8:15 PM ET

The good news for the Panthers is that they’re heading into a fresh week after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ running game manhandled them. Tampa Bay rushed for 258 yards on 49 carries while barely throwing the ball, finishing with just 64 passing yards. What would you expect the final score to be if a team passed for only 64 yards? Certainly not 43-13. The bad news for Carolina is that if you focus too heavily on stopping the run, you’re leaving yourself vulnerable to Jordan Love, who connects on explosive plays better than any quarterback in the NFL this season. Pick your poison. How do you want to get beat? Both teams are dealing with offensive line injuries, and I typically wouldn’t take the Over here because nothing burns the clock faster than offenses getting behind the chains on unnecessary holding penalties and false starts. Still, I don’t expect that to be too much of an issue tonight. Carolina has good size along its offensive line and at receiver, and the Panthers have the luxury of facing a Packers front seven missing key starters. Those absences should hamper Green Bay’s ability to pressure the quarterback. Meanwhile, the Packers’ offense faces a confused Panthers defense that can’t stop the run and could struggle even more against the pass, especially with players like Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson on injured reserve. Green Bay is thrilled to have Josh Jacobs back, and he’s likely licking his chops at the chance to rush for 100-plus yards against a defense that has struggled to stop the run. However, Love has been the NFL’s best quarterback at producing explosive plays this season. If Carolina cheats to stop the run, Love can bury the Panthers with a 70-yard touchdown that takes just seconds off the clock. Both offenses should find success, with plenty of points on the scoreboard. Take the Over.