Take #256 Panthers over Texans (1 p.m., Sunday, October 29)
(NFL) Houston vs. Carolina,
Point Spread: 3.50 | -110.00 Carolina (Home)
Result: Win
I like what HC DeMeco Ryans is doing with Houston and CJ Stroud looks like the real deal at QB. However, I don't believe the Texans are ready to lay a FG or more away from home. In fact, they've closed a favorite just once this season and lost 31-20 as a 1-point favorite at home to the Colts. Houston is bad on the ground on offense and the defense struggles against the pass. Carolina made a big change on offense during the bye week. OC Thomas Brown will now call the plays and according to reports he's installed pre-snap motion and an offense that will huddle-up rather than go 90 mph. The new look should take a lot of the burden off QB Bryce Young who didn't react well to a no-huddle attack. And it's worth noting that NFL teams are on a 35-11 ATS run if they've lost at least three straight games and their opponent has covered at least two in a row. These teams have been undervalued in this spot.