Predicting the Final Score of Panthers vs. Bengals In Week 6

By Keith Alrick @Kramerica100 on October 10, 2014

Last week, the Cincinnati Bengals were dealt the unfortunate hand of playing against an angry Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. The good news is that no matter how ugly the game was, it still only counts as one loss. At 3-1, the Bengals are still in good shape as they shift their focus towards the Carolina Panthers. Both teams are looking for their fourth win of the season, and to stay atop their divisions.

The Panthers have been as up and down as any team in the NFL this season. They won their first two games, only to get blown out in the following two. They continued their unpredictable play by falling down 21-7 to the Chicago Bears last week,  before rallying late to win 31-24.

The biggest surprise for Carolina this season has been their passing game. It was expected to be a struggle with all new wide receivers, but Cam Newton is playing at a much higher level in the pocket than in years past. He made some big time throws in the second half of the Chicago game that led the Panthers to the victory. Newton is barely running at all, but his improvement in the passing game has made the lack of running a non-issue.

The issue for Carolina has been the defense. It was supposed to carry this team, but opposing teams have been able to throw the ball all over them. The Panthers will catch a break this week against Cincinnati because A.J. Green is going to miss the game with a toe injury. Cincinnati will also be without Tyler Eifert and likely Marvin Jones as well. That doesn’t leave a whole lot left for Andy Dalton to work with. Mohamed Sanu will be the number one receiver for the Bengals and should have a good day for any fantasy owners.

The absence of healthy wide receivers means the Bengals will be leaning heavily on Giovanni Bernard, which isn’t a bad thing. In fact, Cincinnati doesn’t give him enough touches. Bernard has proven to be a game-changing player and should have a big day this Sunday.

This will be a closely contested game and will likely the come down to a key turnover. I think that the home team will come down that key play, and the Cincinnati Bengals will bounce back from last weeks humbling, winning this game 24-21.