Carolina Panthers at Washington Redskins NFL Preview and Odds
This week's Carolina Panthers at Washington Redskins match-up may not excite people looking for a clash of playoff contenders. But this game pits last season's rookie sensation at quarterback against one of this year's rookie sensations at quarterback. It also is a game between to last two Heisman Trophy winners.
History
The Panthers come into the game at 1-6. That is certainly not where they hoped to be at this point in the season. But is Carolina really this bad? Maybe not. The Panthers lost a close game on the road to unbeaten Atlanta Falcons 30-28 on September 30. Then this past week they fell on the road at the Chicago Bears 23-22. Those teams have lost a combined one game this season.
Turnovers proved costly to the Panthers in both of those games. At Atlanta, Cam Newton, the second year star quarterback, fumbled at a crucial time in the game when the Panthers could have put the game away. The Falcons capitalized for the winning touchdown. Then in Chicago, with a 19-7 lead in the third quarter, Newton threw a pick six. It was his sixth of the season ad it allowed the Bears to get back into the game. This one was not his fault though as his receiver slipped on the play just as the ball was on the way.
The Redskins are 3-5 with their rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III. He is on pace to equal Newton's 6-10 rookie season a year ago. The Redskins have beaten some pretty good teams in the New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Minnesota Vikings. Griffin has impressed during his rookie season with both his running and passing. He is not getting quite the hype Newton got a year ago, perhaps because he is one of five rookie starters this season at quarterback. Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson and Ryan Tannehill have all had successful rookie seasons.
With a win, Redskins can get into the playoff conversation in the NFC. They are currently 3-5 so at 4-5 they would be right in the thick of the race. The last two Super Bowl Champions, the Green Bay Packers and the New York Giants got into the playoffs at 9-7. Both had to rally in the season's finals weeks just to get to that mark. So at 4-5, a team still has to feel that they are in the race. But at 3-6, it becomes tough. So this game is a big one for Washington.
Our Pick
Bodog has the Panthers +3.5 -125 while the Redskins are -3.5 + 105. The Panthers have been hanging tough with people even though they haven't won much. We like the Panthers +3.5.
