Carolina Panthers (5-3) @ San Francisco 49ers (6-2)
The Panthers are the surprise team in the NFL this year. They have an elite defense and a QB that can play at an elite level. In my opinion their only downside is their lack of playmakers on offense. Their best receiver is veteran WR Steve Smith who is at the end of his career. They do have an emerging young WR in Brandon LaFell. They also have a strong backfield with Deangelo Williams and Johnathon Stewart. Add in Cam Newton and the Panthers are a threat to put up 30+ points against any team.
The Niners have gotten thekir game together. After a two game slide against the Seahawks and Colts they have won five in a row putting up 31 or more points in each of those games. QB Collin Kaepernick has underachieved, in my opinion. He has done good at minimizing his mistakes but to me he has not played at an elite level. In my eyes he is a QB that needs to have playmakers around him in order for his team to win. It seems RB Frank Gore has found some sort of fountain of youth. He has been the backbone of the Niners offense rushing for 618 yards and 7 touchdowns. San Francisco, like the Panthers have a great defense that just got back LB Aldon Smith.
This Sunday is a very important game for both teams. The Niners need the win to stay with the Seahawks who are one game in front and the Panthers likewise are one game behind the Saints. It should be a defensive battle but I have the feeling that these two teams could break out and put on a show with their dynamic offenses. The edge goes to San Francisco because they are at home and are more used to winning big games. Both of these teams have lost to Seattle and only San Francisco has beaten a team who currently has a winning record. But look for the Panthers to pull off the upset if they can do two things. #1, no mistakes. The Panthers will have to play mistake free football to win on the road. And #2, score on a hot defense. If the Panthers can get out in front and stay aggressive without committing turnovers, the Niners will have trouble keeping up.
That said, I think it will be a lot of pressure for the Panthers to do both of those things. And the Niners will be waiting for any opportunity to take control. It should be the Niners who play a complete game at home. And come away with the win.
My final: Carolinaa 17 San Francisco 20
The Panthers are the surprise team in the NFL this year. They have an elite defense and a QB that can play at an elite level. In my opinion their only downside is their lack of playmakers on offense. Their best receiver is veteran WR Steve Smith who is at the end of his career. They do have an emerging young WR in Brandon LaFell. They also have a strong backfield with Deangelo Williams and Johnathon Stewart. Add in Cam Newton and the Panthers are a threat to put up 30+ points against any team.
The Niners have gotten thekir game together. After a two game slide against the Seahawks and Colts they have won five in a row putting up 31 or more points in each of those games. QB Collin Kaepernick has underachieved, in my opinion. He has done good at minimizing his mistakes but to me he has not played at an elite level. In my eyes he is a QB that needs to have playmakers around him in order for his team to win. It seems RB Frank Gore has found some sort of fountain of youth. He has been the backbone of the Niners offense rushing for 618 yards and 7 touchdowns. San Francisco, like the Panthers have a great defense that just got back LB Aldon Smith.
This Sunday is a very important game for both teams. The Niners need the win to stay with the Seahawks who are one game in front and the Panthers likewise are one game behind the Saints. It should be a defensive battle but I have the feeling that these two teams could break out and put on a show with their dynamic offenses. The edge goes to San Francisco because they are at home and are more used to winning big games. Both of these teams have lost to Seattle and only San Francisco has beaten a team who currently has a winning record. But look for the Panthers to pull off the upset if they can do two things. #1, no mistakes. The Panthers will have to play mistake free football to win on the road. And #2, score on a hot defense. If the Panthers can get out in front and stay aggressive without committing turnovers, the Niners will have trouble keeping up.
That said, I think it will be a lot of pressure for the Panthers to do both of those things. And the Niners will be waiting for any opportunity to take control. It should be the Niners who play a complete game at home. And come away with the win.
My final: Carolinaa 17 San Francisco 20
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