How good is Christian McCaffrey? We should find out today as in the three games he has played this year the Panthers are 3-0 and Sam Darnold looked like an actual NFL quarterback. McCaffrey has been cleared to return as has Darnold from a concussion. I expect this number to drop to -3 so will take the hook while it's there.

How much can you trust a Panthers offense that has lost its mojo and just can't seem to get out of its own way? Right now, we don't know the status of QB Sam Darnold for this game, and even though P.J. Walker is a capable backup, he - and Darnold, if healthy - will be facing a Bill Belichick defense that does a great job of making things difficult for streaky quarterbacks.

Don't look now but the Patriots have scored 25+ points in four straight and are averaging 33.75 PPG during that span. They're also 4-0 to the Over in said games as well. Why? Mac Jones and the offense are really starting to put it together. His leash is getting longer and with his aggressive nature he doesn't want to go backwards with it. Couple that with New England giving up 23.5 PPG in those four defensively and you have a perfect mix of a team that can score and also has to keep its foot on the gas pedal. Carolina is a mess but we just need *something* from them. A 28-14 game gets us home.