WFT vs. Panthers Odds
| WFT Odds | -3.5 |
| Panthers Odds | +3.5 |
| Over/Under | 43 |
| Time | 1 p.m. ET |
| TV | FOX |
Cam Newton is back.
The 2015 MVP has returned to his Carolina roots with hopes of leading the Panthers back to the playoffs. Newton’s return has coincided with Christian McCaffrey seemingly regaining form, so the Panthers are as healthy as they've been all season. They enter Week 11 occupying the seventh and final NFC playoff spot.
Washington, meanwhile, snapped a four-game losing streak with a 29-19 upset win over Tampa Bay. Coming off its bye, head coach Ron Rivera schemed up a strong defensive plan that intercepted Tom Brady twice.
Rivera brings Washington into Bank of America Stadium in a revenge spot against his old quarterback. Let's break down the matchup.
Click the arrow to expand injury reports
Washington vs. Panthers Injury Report
Washington Injuries
- TE Ricky Seals-Jones (hip): Out
- WR Curtis Samuel (hamstring): Questionable
- T Saahdiq Charles (illness): Questionable
- CB Kendall Fuller (knee): Questionable
- DB Benjamin St-Juste (concussion): Questionable
Panthers Injuries
- CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver (toe): Questionable
Washington vs. Panthers Matchup
| Washington Offense | DVOA Rank | Panthers Defense |
| 20 | Total | 3 |
| 19 | Pass | 2 |
| 25 | Rush | 19 |
| Washington Defense | DVOA Rank | Panthers Offense |
| 27 | Total | 30 |
| 29 | Pass | 30 |
| 6 | Rush | 20 |
| Football Outsiders' DVOA measures efficiency by comparing a team's success on every play to the league average based on situation and opponent. | ||
|---|---|---|
Can Washington Football Team Build Off Massive Win?
Head coach Ron Rivera's big win over the Bucs came at a price, as he lost defensive end Chase Young to a season-ending knee injury. That will certainly hurt a Washington line that failed to record a sack in Week 10.
Washington posted 29 points against the Buccaneers, but was certainly helped out by the two Brady interceptions. Offensively — for the first time since Week 4 and only the third time all season — quarterback Taylor Heinicke failed to throw an interception.
Washington's defense has been strong against the run but poor against the pass all season. In theory, that should be good against a Carolina team that runs at the third-highest clip (53.77%) in the NFL.
The biggest challenge for Washington is how it will generate points. Heinicke needs a repeat of last week's clean performance, and Antonio Gibson will need to be even better than he was last week. While he scored two touchdowns, he also averaged just 2.7 yards per carry.
Heinicke will also be without his two top tight ends Logan Thomas and Ricky Seals-Jones.
Panthers Hope Newton Sparks Offense
Newton is back and will have McCaffrey alongside him, after the All-Pro running back tallied 10 receptions on just a 56% snap share.
The Carolina passing game has been putrid, mostly because of Sam Darnold's ineffectiveness. The Panthers still feature a solid trio of receivers in D.J. Moore, Robby Anderson and rookie Terrace Marshall Jr. Washington has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing wideouts, including the third-most receiving yards.
Newton also has a dream matchup against a Washington pass defense that has allowed the most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. That also includes the seventh-most rushing yards, despite having not faced either Lamar Jackson or Jalen Hurts.
The Carolina defense is one of the NFL's best, especially against the pass. The addition of All-Pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore has raised the secondary to an elite level.
NFL Pick: Washington vs. Panthers
I'm laying the points with Carolina.
The return of Newton should energize a Panthers team that is currently in the seventh and final playoff spot in the NFC. Per the Action Network App (check real-time public betting data here), only 55% of the bets but 65% of the money is on Carolina, indicating sharp action.
I want to avoid the hook, so I would look to get this line no higher than the current number.
Pick: Panthers -3 | Bet to: -3
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