If you’ve been just casually paying attention to the NFL this season, it may surprise you to learn that the Carolina Panthers (7-3) are leading the Wild Card race in the NFC and are just a game out of first place in the NFC South. Nobody seems interested in them. Even fewer will be interested in this game when the Panthers travel to Met Life Stadium to take on the New York Jets (4-6).
If you are a Panthers or Jets die hard fan, this game will be broadcast to you via the FOX television network at 1 p.m. EST.
The Game: Carolina Panthers at New York Jets (+5.5)
O/U: 40.5
The History
The Panthers and Jets have played only six times since 1995. The series is tied 3-3.
They last met up on December 15, 2013 with Carolina winning 30-20 at Bank of America Stadium. Cam Newton out-dueled Geno Smith with a 16 of 24 day for 273 yards and a touchdown. Smith was 15 of 28 for 167 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
CAROLINA PANTHERS (7-3)
Here’s what you don’t know about the Panthers. They’re one of the teams that rolled into Gillette Stadium this season and beat the New England Patriots. They came within five points of the Eagles and have won three straight heading into this game. They’ve done all that, plus prime themselves for a playoff run, without Cam Newton’s favorite offensive weapon, tight end Greg Olsen. Carolina gets Olsen back this game.
The only guy the Panthers should be missing this game is cornerback Captain Munnerlyn who’s out with an illness. Everyone else should play.
Carolina is surging at the right time, even after trading away Kelvin Benjamin. Newton had his best game of the season two weeks ago, completing 21 of 35 passes for 254 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 95 yards on five carries. They’ve stopped trying to force Christian McCaffrey into the offense and it paid off with a 110 yard game from Jonathan Stewart.
With Benjamin gone, Devin Funchess has become Newton’s primary target in the passing game. Last week he had five catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns. It’ll be interesting to see how Funchess and rookie Chris Samuels benefit from Olsen’s return to the line up.
NEW YORK JETS (4-6)
New York rolls into this game healthy. Matt Forte was the only guy held out of any practice this week, missing Wednesday and Thursday. He did practice Friday and is listed as questionable.
After opening the season with a surprising 3-2 record, the Jets have battled their way to lose four of their last five. None of these losses were blowouts and New York contends in every game. It’s a testament to Todd Bowles as a head coach. As the season began, there was a chance he wouldn’t even finish out the year with the Jets. Right now, I’d honestly be kind of bummed if they fire him. He’s done a hell of a job with one of the worst rosters in the NFL not located in Cleveland.
Two weeks ago against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a 15-10 loss, the team struggled to get near the end zone. New York’s touchdown came in the fourth quarter. It was an ugly game with an ugly ending. This team needs a lot of roster work in the off-season. They should make it easy on themselves and start setting that up now.
The Pick
It’s time for the Jets to go ahead and break out the tanto and commit ritual seppuku. It’s only for the best. New York has fought the good fight and, frankly, won three more games in the first half of the season than I thought they’d win all year. But it’s time to just lean into reality. They need the draft picks tanking would bring. They may have already won their way out of the quarterback they’d want. There’s no reason to do any further damage. On top of that, Carolina is just significantly better across the board. Panthers 26, Jets 20
This week
Straight up: 1-2
Against the spread: 1-2
Last week
Straight up: 5-8
Against the spread: 4-9
Season
Straight up: 92-67
Against the spread: 79-79
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