St. Catharines Standard e-edition

Panthers, off to 2-0 start, visit Texans in prime time

BARRY WILNER The Associated Press

In an effort to get every team a Thursday game, National Football League schedule makers often take some of the likely tail-enders and stick them in early season games.

It’s unlikely those folks expected an undefeated Carolina Panthers (2-0) when they were put in the Week 3 prime-time match against Houston, which is almost as surprisingly 1-1.

Look for the Panthers, ranked 10th in the AP Pro32, and 8point favourites over No. 27 Houston, to give rookie fill-in quarterback Davis Mills fits.

PANTHERS, 24-10 KNOCKOUT POOL:

Cleveland made it tighter than it should have been. We survived to pick DENVER this week.

No. 31 New York Jets (plus 11) at No. 12 Denver

Teddy Bridgewater was once Jets property. Now he will tear them down.

BEST BET: BRONCOS, 30-12 No. 24 Cincinnati (plus 5) at No. 14 Pittsburgh

This worked for us in Week 1, and the Steelers have a bunch of key injuries.

UPSET SPECIAL: BENGALS, 21-18

No. 1 Tampa Bay (plus 1) at No. 2 Los Angeles Rams

It makes no sense to bet against that 44-year-old QB and his Bucs crew. Call us nonsensical.

RAMS, 30-27 No. 17 New Orleans (plus 3) at No. 19 New England

Drew Brees versus Tom Brady. Can’t wait ... Oh, wait, they ain’t there anymore.

PATRIOTS, 23-21 No. 21 Miami (plus 4) at No. 5 Las Vegas

WE BELIEVE. At least this week, we believe in the Raiders. RAIDERS, 26-16

No. 18 Los Angeles Chargers (plus 7) at No. 3 Kansas City

Patrick Mahomes won’t get intercepted in a key spot again.

CHIEFS, 30-27 No. 6 Baltimore (minus 9) at No. 28 Detroit

Baltimore will hold on.

RAVENS, 28-24 No. 4 Arizona (minus 8) at No. 32 Jacksonville

In 2021, West teams heading East simply shrug — and win.

CARDINALS, 37-13 No. 11 Seattle (minus 2) at No. 25 (tie) Minnesota

Well, not all of them. VIKINGS, 27-26

No. 15 Green Bay (plus 4) at No. 8 San Francisco

After two victories in the Eastern time zone, the Niners get a home game. And ...

49ERS, 30-28 No. 22 Washington (plus 9) at No. 7 Buffalo

Thought about this as Best Bet, but still not sure about Buffalo.

BILLS, 20-10 No. 23 Chicago (plus 7) at No. 9 Cleveland

Browns talented, and also mystifying.

BROWNS, 27-17 No. 25 (tie) Indianapolis (plus 6) at No. 16 Tennessee

Early battle for AFC South lead.

TITANS, 24-13 No. 20 Philadelphia (plus 4) at No. 13 Dallas, Monday night

Early battle for the NFC East lead. More like a pillow fight.

COWBOYS, 30-20 No. 30 Atlanta (plus 3) at No. 29 New York Giants

This week’s only matchup of winless clubs.

GIANTS, 26-22

SPORTS

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2021-09-23T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-09-23T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://stcatharinesstandard.pressreader.com/article/281895891387344

Toronto Star Newspapers Limited