Patriots-Panthers Week 11 Predictions
BOSTON (CBS) - The 98.5 The Sports Hub, WBZ-TV and WBZ NewsRadio1030 sports teams make their predictions for the Patriots' Monday Night Football showdown with the Carolina Panthers.
Scott Zolak, 98.5 The Sports Hub
This will be a little bit of a struggle for the Patriots, coming off the bye, because you come off 15 days to get ready for a team.
I had them 24-16 until today, when the Carolina Panthers, who have won five in a row, all of a sudden have to psych themselves out and are wearing all black. The fact that it's blackout night tells me the Patriots are going down to play Virginia Tech.
Patriots 31, Panthers 13
Andy Gresh, 98.5 The Sports Hub
This is the first time the Patriots have been able to put someone out on the field that who can occupy the middle, open things up for Danny Amendola, and they also get Shane Vereen back.
Because it's Tom Brady with those weapons, it's something Carolina hasn't seen all year. I think they'll throw early and play up-tempo, and then they'll be able to run on them even though the Panthers have a good run defense.
TALE OF THE TAPE: Patriots vs. Panthers
The Pats defense will be good enough against Cam Newton, and New England will improve to 8-2 this season.
Patriots 28, Panthers 17
Walt Perkins, WBZ NewsRadio1030
The Patriots always seem to find a way. Monday will be no different.
Patriots 27, Panthers 24
Dan Roche, WBZ-TV Sports
I think the Patriots are getting healthier on the offense each week and it should show on Monday night.
The Pats always play well coming out of a bye week and I expect the same vs Carolina.
READ: Patriots-Panthers Preview
The Panthers have won 5 straight and looked good Sunday against San Francisco, especially on defense. It should be a good game, but I expect a big Pats win.
Patriots 35, Panthers 24
Levan Reid, WBZ-TV Sports
The Pats are coming off of a bye and all week long the guys have been focused and ready to play. It also seems most of the guys spent the time off doing their research on Carolina.
The Panthers got their biggest win of the season last week in beating the San Fran and now they're ready for prime time and the Pats. The Panthers bring a stout defense and an offense that features Cam Newton and Steve Smith.
Here's my take: the Panthers defense was tough against the Niners but San Fran never spread them out. The Pats will and that should help loosen that defense up, and get New England up and down the field.
READ: Levan Reid's Patriots Blog
Stopping the Panthers offense all depends on Aqib Talib. If he plays, the Pats are a strong defensive team. If not, New England could be in trouble.
I say Talib plays and the Pats win this one going away, sweeping the NFC South this season.
Patriots 28, Panthers 14
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