Kansas City Chiefs
vs.
Carolina Panthers
Week 10
NFL Pick
11/13/16
When Kansas City travels to Carolina on Sunday, you have the opportunity to watch two teams that are both on winning streaks. The Chiefs have won Four straight to reach 6-2 and are half a Game behind the Raiders in the AFC West. The Panthers have suddenly won two straight after starting the season 1-5. Carolina has improved from dead last in the NFC South to tied for last with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kansas City is 3-point underdog on the road, and the over/under is 44 ACCording to the 5Dimes Sportsbook.
The Chiefs have been a mixed bag so far in 2016. Obviously, a 6-2 record is nothing to be ashamed of, but their wins have largely been against .500 teams or worse. The exception would be their road victory over the Raiders to begin their current Four-Game winning streak. When they’ve been beaten, the offense has done largely nothing.
The Panthers might be starting to turn the corner. The 1-5 start was abysmal. since they’ve won two Games against NFC West teams, but neither was Seattle. Carolina has the distiNCtion of being 3-0 against the NFC West but 0-3 in their own division.
Everyone knows this Kansas City offense is nothing special. Alex Smith protects the football well but inspires no one. Travis Kelce is a pretty good tight end, but he’s not a top-end target. That’s what the Chiefs are attempting to make him as their leading receiver.
SpeNCer Ware is the one player that seems to give opponents problems consistently. However, he missed last week with a coNCussion. Andy Reid has said that he expects Ware to be cleared this week for the Panthers. How ready will he be?
Cam Newton has not had the success everyone expected as the reigning MVP of the league. CoNCussion symptoms have been problematic. Referees not throwing flags has been a storyline. Many distractions; not enough good play.
Greg Olsen has been fantastic this year. Having Kelvin Benjamin back from his torn ACL in 2015 has been a big boost as well.
The passing attack is going up against a pretty average defense. Carolina is carrying some momentum, they’re on their home field and they’ve been waiting on some consistent breakout offensive performances.
The Panthers’ defense has been awful against the pass, but it just doesn’t seem like that’s going to be much of an issue in this one. Even if Ware is at full strength, the running Game has been the strong suit of Carolina’s D. Ware also needs to be ACCounted for in the passing Game, and this could cause some troubles. I just don’t think that’s going to be enough to help Kansas City consistently move the ball.
Our Pick – Chiefs +3