This is sitting on 3 so I recommend buying down to -2.5, but I do like the Cats as they are 4-1 this season when Christian McCaffrey plays and have now obviously upgraded at QB with Cam Newton over Sam Darnold/PJ Walker. Washington is down its No. 2 wideout (Curtis Samuel), both top tight ends and reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Chase Young.

Washington coach Ron Rivera would be better able to capitalize on his knowledge of ex-pupil Cam Newton if he had Chase Young at his disposal. But Newton has been spared, with the Washington DE injured, and Rivera’s defense is ranked 27th anyway. The Panthers’ unit is nearly the polar opposite. It ranks No. 2 overall and, more importantly, second in fewest scoring drives allowed per possession. Newton might play less of a factor for Carolina than RB Christian McCaffrey, who is back in form after an injury layoff.

All signs point to Cam Newton starting at QB for Carolina, which makes things that much more intriguing. Without Washington DE Chase Young (knee) up front, it also makes things a bit easier for the Panthers' offensive line. Washington is coming off of a strong effort against Tampa Bay, but I don't particularly like the matchup here against a Panthers team that has a competent QB under center.

Neither team is explosive, as evidenced by the total of 43. Getting over a field goal is too good to pass up. Ron Rivera's teams are now 54-40 straight-up after the bye. And it was clear last Sunday that Washington made good use of its Week 9 bye. A healthy Antonio Gibson racked up 48 yards after contact versus Tampa Bay's stout run defense. Cam Newton looks like an upgrade over Sam Darnold and P.J. Walker, but he only threw four passes in the blowout of Arizona. Take WFT in a game that should come down to the wire.

The Panthers looked excellent in a decisive win over the Cardinals, and with Cam Newton getting a full week of practice and likely the start in this game, they figure to be even better, right? I'm not buying a best-case scenario for Cam right out of the gate, especially against a Washington defense that has been much improved in its last three games, including shutting down Tom Brady last week. I'd put more stock in a win over the Bucs than one over Colt McCoy and Co., yet the market has moved this line 1.5 points toward Carolina off the lookahead. I think that's the Cam factor more than anything, and fading that sentiment provides us nice value on the other side of three.