***MNF IN THE SWAMP - MIA @ CAR***
***MIAMI DOLPHINS @ CAROLINA PANTHERS***
MNF features an interesting cross conference matchup here in week 10 as the 6-3 Carolina Panthers host the 4-4 Miami Dolphins. The NFC South has turned into quite the entertaining Division with the surging New Orleans Saints now on a 7 game winning streak along with the Atlanta Falcons starting to wake up and get themselves together after a slow start. The race for the division crown and a playoff to the postseason looks like it will most likely go down to the wire between the three since they will all play each other again later this season. That being said the heat is on for the Panthers and every game is now that much more crucial. They currently sit a game behind the Saints in first place and a game ahead of the Falcons in third. Carolina was fortunate enough to fend off the Dirty Birds and squeak out a close win at home last week in a game that could've went either way, and some may argue that the Falcons should've won. The Panthers defense held on tough and I believe that game will give them some extra momentum and juice for tonight's Prime Time stage at home once again where they will try to string together 3 wins in a row for the first time this season. The Dolphins on the other hand along with the Bucs, have been dealt the road with the most adversity this season. Their bye week was eliminated since their week 1 game with the Bucs was postponed to next week. They have been inconsistent at the QB position due to injuries and their offense has struggled mightily as a result. They have arguably the worst offense in football up until this point. I am not sure what the statistics read and don't have time to give you numbers, but I am willing to go ahead and say that they agree. If not the worst, they are right there next to the worst as far as points and production. While I backed the Fish last week at home on SNF against the Raiders and was fortunate enough to come out with a lucky push, I will be going against them in this spot tonight.
Miami is extremely talented on both sides of the ball. I am very big on the personnel that they have both offensively and defensively. I like their Head Coach in Adam Gase and the passionate no tolerance for BS policy he brings to the table. Besides dealing with Mother Nature earlier this year, these guys have faced problems internally with both coaches and players. I think they are a very dangerous team if they can ever get it together. They have plenty of talent in all levels of their defense and if QB Jay Cutler gets clicking with the passing game with the plethora of weapons in his WR arsenal, I believe they could make a run at a Wild Card spot. He looked much better last week against Oakland but again, the Oakland secondary isn't the best. Tonight they face one of the best defenses in the game and in their element, so not the kind of spot that favors them to snap out of it offensively. I do believe Cutler will get going now that he is back from the rib injury and has WR DeVante Parker back healthy to go along with Jarvis Landry, but it won't be tonight. The Panthers defense will be up for this one and I don't like Cutty's chances of having sustained success throughout. We all know he can be prone to making some bad decisions when under fire and this offensive line has had some issues. They revamped it and shuffeld some guys around for tonight's game hoping to keep Cutler's jersey clean but I don't think it will bode well against the Cats. I like the Panthers to get in his face and bang him around early and often, and although I think he hangs tough and makes some plays to Landry and Parker, I believe this will be one of those outings where he throws that pick 6 that crushes them.
Offensively the Panthers abruptly traded away Cam Newton's top WR in Kelvin Benjamin to the Bills two weeks ago. Despite that, the Panthers offense looked good to me last week. I feel like with Benjamin gone, Cam's WR core is now much faster with guys like Rookie WR Curtis Samuel getting more action. Cam seems to be more willing to putting the team on his back as well by running the rock and that is when he is at his best. I like them to ground and pound this Miami defense into submission tonight and break their will in the second half. I also anticipate Rookie RB Christian McCaffery to possibly have that big breakout game we've all been waiting for. He has been slowly but surely being incorporated more in this offense and tonight could be the night where he goes off. I am usually hesitant to back Newton due to his mood swings. After last week he seems to be the "happy" Cam so I am changing my tune just for tonight.The Panthers already dropped the ball earlier this year at home on Prime Time against the Eagles, and I like them to right the ship here for the fans as they get their third win in a row wile simultaneously serving the Fish their third loss in a row. PANTHERS-8
