Patriots at Panthers Odds
| Panthers Odds | +3 |
| Patriots Odds | -3 |
| Over/Under | 41.5 |
| Time | 1 p.m. ET |
| TV | CBS |
Carolina ended a four-game losing streak with a 19-13 win at Atlanta in Week 8, but it came with a price as quarterback Sam Darnold left with a concussion.
The Panthers now host a Patriots team that has won three of their last four games, including an impressive 27-24 road win against the Chargers last week.
Will Carolina be able to build off last week's momentum against a Patriots team that's moving quickly toward a playoff berth?
Click the arrow to expand injury reports
Patriots vs. Panthers Injury Report
Patriots Injuries
- DT Christian Barmore (foot): Questionable
- LB Ja'Whaun Bentley (ribs): Questionable
- WR N'Keal Harry (knee): Questionable
Read the Patriots' complete IR here.
Panthers Injuries
- QB Sam Darnold (concussion/right shoulder): Questionable
- CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver III (toe): Questionable
- G Pat Elflein (hamstring): Questionable
Patriots vs. Panthers Matchup
| Patriots Offense | DVOA Rank | Panthers Defense |
| 17 | Total | 8 |
| 17 | Pass | 6 |
| 15 | Rush | 19 |
| Patriots Defense | DVOA Rank | Panthers Offense |
| 11 | Total | 29 |
| 10 | Pass | 29 |
| 17 | Rush | 21 |
| Football Outsiders' DVOA measures efficiency by comparing a team's success on every play to the league average based on situation and opponent. | ||
|---|---|---|
As Jones Has Improved, So Have Patriots
New England quarterback Mac Jones has improved throughout the season, and the Patriots are starting to look like a playoff team.
After losing its first three home games to drop to a 1-4 record, New England has gone 4-2 over its last six games — the two losses coming by two points against Tampa Bay and in overtime against Dallas.
Jones has the top accuracy ranking among all quarterbacks, per PlayerProfiler, and has tallied four touchdowns with just one interception over the past three weeks.
Running back Damien Harris has taken control of the New England backfield with five touchdowns over his past four games, including a score in four consecutive games.
Head coach Bill Belichick's defensive schemes have been especially good on road games, averaging 3.3 sacks per game away from Foxborough. The Pats totaled three sacks in Week 8 against a strong Chargers offensive line and forced two Justin Herbert interceptions.
Panthers Fading Without McCaffrey
The Panthers started the season with three straight wins but have struggled mightily since Week 4.
Sam Darnold has just two touchdowns and five interceptions since Week 5. His slide has coincided with an injury to All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey, who has played only three games this season.
Head coach Matt Rhule has said that if McCaffrey is available, it will only be on a limited basis. With Darnold's status still uncertain, Carolina could be facing the Patriots without their starting quarterback or running back.
The Panthers defense started the season playing like one of the best in the league. However, Carolina's pass rush has slowed to a crawl, averaging just 1.7 sacks over its last three contests. If the Panthers don't get pressure on Jones, this game could get ugly very quickly.
New England has averaged 35.3 points over their past four games, putting a ton of pressure on potential Panthers starting quarterback P.J. Walker to generate points against one of the NFL's brilliant defensive minds.
NFL Pick: Patriots vs. Panthers
Last week's win against Atlanta was impressive, but it did not present the same level of challenges as the Patriots will in Week 9. If Walker starts in Darnold's place, I think this line goes to New England -4.5, which I will still gladly lay with a hot rookie quarterback and a strong defense.
Pick: New England -3.5 | Bet to: New England -4.5
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