This is an 8* BLOCKBUSTER on the Carolina Panthers.

I had a play on the Browns last weekend, and I feel pretty "lucky" about that bet.

Baker Mayfield almost followed through on his promise to beat his former team, but his effort came up just short in the 26-24 setback.

The Panthers have now lost seven straight dating back to last year, so this is an organization that collectively will be focussed on the task at hand. Matt Rhule's team showed a lot of good things as well though.

I had the Giants last weekend in their upset win at Tennessee, and an imminent letdown is what I'm expecting here after that emotional victory.

Brian Daboll is viewed as a hero this week, but if his 2-point conversion failed at the end last weekend, then he'd be viewed as just another idiot coach making stupid calls. Instead, we're saying he has "balls of steel."

I'm not buying it. I'm not overreacting to Week 1's results.

Finally, note that the underdog is 5-0 ATS the last five in this series.

I like the way this one sets up for Carolina and while the outright win is obviously not out of the question, my official call will be to grab as many points as you can.

The play is the PANTHERS.

Good luck, NP