Candidly, I'm a massive Aaron Rodgers fan, and I love taking Green Bay on the road against good defenses when it is getting points. But Rodgers has been out of action for quite some time, and the Panthers' defense is one of the best in the league. Cam Newton can be up and down, but at home against a vulnerable Packers defense, I think he'll do just fine on Sunday.

Some believe just because Aaron Rodgers is back the desperate Packers will make the playoffs. While he certainly makes Green Bay a better team, the first game played off an extended injury is always tough -- especially on the road. The Packers' defense has also been very shaky. I expect Rodgers to be rusty which will allow Cam Newton and the Panthers to win and cover for the fifth time in six games. The Panthers are the play.

The Panthers have won five of six and just put up 31 points on Minnesota's elite defense. They'll score enough here to beat Aaron Rodgers, who cannot be expected to be razor sharp in his first game back. Lay it.

We'll soon know whether Aaron Rodgers will suit up for this game, but here's why you should lay the points now: if Rodgers is ruled out, this line will skyrocket and you'll have to lay more than a TD with the Panthers. If he's in -- and he won't be near 100 percent if he is -- it's not going to go down more than a point or so. And the Panthers should win this game: they're excellent at home, they're running the ball well and a mediocre passing game should be effective enough against a Packers pass defense that ranks 27th in net yards per attempt. Green Bay is coming off back-to-back overtime games; the minutes add up.

The number seems low if Aaron Rodgers does indeed return to lead the Packers. I'll take a risk and grab this number now in the hopes No. 12 does suit up to take on a Panthers team that's scored at least 31 points in their of their last four games.