PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* NFLX Play of the Day >> EARLY SATURDAY!
(NFL) Carolina vs. Tennessee,
Total: 40.50 | -110.00 Over
Result: Loss
Total: 40.50 | -110.00 Over
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Carolina Panthers opened with a 27-17 home win over the Texans last week and will be in Nashville Saturday afternoon to take on the Tennessee Titans at LP Field. The Titans opened their 2017 preseason by scoring just three points and a modest 223 gaining yards in a 7-3 loss against the NY Jets. The Panthers entered 2016 as the defending NFC champions (15-1 regular season) but stumbled to a 1-5 start that eventually doomed them to a 6-10 finish and last place in the NFC South. It was Carolina's first missed postseason since 2012. The Titans are off a 9-7 season last year, when they lost the AFC Central title to Houston in a tie-breaker.
Carolina: Cam Newton did not suit up last week and is not expected to play in this contest either, as the Panthers want to ensure he is fully recovered from his off season shoulder surgery. Backup QB Derek Anderson went 4 for 5 for 76 yards and a TD in limited action, while third-stringer Joe Webb tossed two TD passes. Rookie RB Christian McCaffrey had 33 rushing yards on seven carries (4.7 YPC) but didn't catch a pass (something he's expected to do a lot of in 2017). The former Stanford Cardinal was taken eighth overall in this year's NFL draft and is expected to see plenty of playing time this season along with veteran RB Jonathan Stewart.
Tennessee: The Titans' offense was horrible against the Jets but QB Marcus Mariota did see his first action since breaking his right leg last year. Mariota was a modest 2-of-3 for 15 yards. Backup QB Alex Tanney did most of the passing, going 11-of-27 for 132 yards and an INT. Expect a little more from Mariota this week but not too much. Backup QB Matt Cassel did not suit up last week but should see some action in this contest. RB DeMarco Murray (coming off an excellent 2016) is dealing with a hamstring injury and it is unclear if he will play here.
The pick: Yes, we'll get to see the starters for a little longer this time around on both sides but don't expect to see much more than a handful of series from the first-teamers. Tennessee's backups couldn't do much of anything against a re-building Jets defense, so I wouldn't expect them to do much here vs. Carolina's. As for Carolina's Newton-less offense, it won't get much against a Tennessee D which allowed only seven points on 251 yards in Week 1. Make the Under a 10* play.
Carolina: Cam Newton did not suit up last week and is not expected to play in this contest either, as the Panthers want to ensure he is fully recovered from his off season shoulder surgery. Backup QB Derek Anderson went 4 for 5 for 76 yards and a TD in limited action, while third-stringer Joe Webb tossed two TD passes. Rookie RB Christian McCaffrey had 33 rushing yards on seven carries (4.7 YPC) but didn't catch a pass (something he's expected to do a lot of in 2017). The former Stanford Cardinal was taken eighth overall in this year's NFL draft and is expected to see plenty of playing time this season along with veteran RB Jonathan Stewart.
Tennessee: The Titans' offense was horrible against the Jets but QB Marcus Mariota did see his first action since breaking his right leg last year. Mariota was a modest 2-of-3 for 15 yards. Backup QB Alex Tanney did most of the passing, going 11-of-27 for 132 yards and an INT. Expect a little more from Mariota this week but not too much. Backup QB Matt Cassel did not suit up last week but should see some action in this contest. RB DeMarco Murray (coming off an excellent 2016) is dealing with a hamstring injury and it is unclear if he will play here.
The pick: Yes, we'll get to see the starters for a little longer this time around on both sides but don't expect to see much more than a handful of series from the first-teamers. Tennessee's backups couldn't do much of anything against a re-building Jets defense, so I wouldn't expect them to do much here vs. Carolina's. As for Carolina's Newton-less offense, it won't get much against a Tennessee D which allowed only seven points on 251 yards in Week 1. Make the Under a 10* play.
