Chargers coach Anthony Lynn had two solid seasons until last year's disappointing 5-11 campaign. Rookie QB Justin Herbert made his NFL debut last week and looked great against a Chiefs defense that I have rated as average. I was on the Chargers last week because I felt the Super Bowl champs could be looking past Los Angeles and toward their Monday Night matchup with Baltimore the following week. The Chargers' defense is now without three starters after losing DE Melvin Ingram (1.5 points) this week. The Panthers averaged 0.1 yards per play more than Tampa Bay in their loss last week.

With QB Philip Rivers gone from L.A., Anthony Lynn is an avowed run-first coach. The Chargers have kept the ball on the ground more than any team and will stay the course with QB Justin Herbert in his second start. Herbert, who learned he would start minutes before kickoff last Sunday, had no time to grow nervous. This week, anxiety could set in. No RB is more indispensable than Carolina’s Christian McCaffrey, who is out (ankle). His 403 touches last year led the league.

I think this line is an overreaction to Christian McCaffrey being out. The Panthers pass defense held Tom Brady to just 217 passing yards last week, and the Chargers, with rookie Justin Herbert possibly starting, don't have the firepower to blow out anyone. Carolina covers.

The loss of Christian McCaffery was a huge blow to the Panthers and fantasy owners everywhere, but I see it as an opportunity here. I watched Justin Herbert's entire college career. I've seen him when he's good, and I've seen him when he does things like throw back across his body into double-coverage 30 yards downfield. So you'll have to excuse me if I'm not ready to trust that guy as a favorite yet.

Love, love, love this spot for Teddy Bridgewater and the Panthers. Justin Herbert amazed in his surprise debut last week, but we didn't think he'd be ready for the big stage early in his rookie year, and I bet he'll deal with inconsistency. The Chargers are an ugly home favorite, 2-10-1 ATS in that spot since 2018. They're also coming off an overtime loss after letting the Chiefs off the hook. This is the perfect letdown spot to fade this team and back a Panthers team that's 0-2 ATS, which is a great trend in Week 3. Christian McCaffrey is a big loss, but Mike Davis had some buzz this summer, and this Panthers offense can keep this game close and maybe win outright.