Tennessee @ Carolina preview
Bank of America Stadium
Last Meeting ( Aug 19, 2017 ) Carolina 27, Tennessee 34
Two teams clawing to stay in their division title races square off Sunday when the Carolina Panthers host the Tennessee Titans. Both hope their quarterback changes continue to pay off as they angle for playoff spots.
Carolina won four straight with Kyle Allen under center before being crushed 51-13 at San Francisco last week. The Panthers are trying not to slip too far behind NFC South leader New Orleans, whom they’ll face twice in the final six weeks of the season. The Titans are still within striking distance of Indianapolis in the AFC South, and they have a rematch with the Colts in Week 13. Tennessee has won two straight since making the switch from Marcus Mariota to Ryan Tannehill at quarterback.
TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Carolina -3.5. O/U: 42.
ABOUT THE TITANS (4-4): Tannehill has led game-winning drives late in both of his starts since taking over for Mariota. The veteran quarterback has completed 73.1 percent of his passes and given Tennessee a more reliable passing game to complement Derrick Henry and the ground attack. Tennessee’s defense is its strength, and the Titans are especially tough against the run, which should be an advantage against Carolina’s offense.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (4-3): The offense is becoming a concern for the Panthers, who have been held under 300 total yards in three of their past four games despite boasting one of the league’s top offensive weapons in Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey is a factor in the running game and the passing attack, but the Panthers have had a tough time hitting big plays to their wide receivers, who have only three combined touchdowns. Carolina’s secondary has been excellent, but the run defense is suspect and surrendered 232 rushing yards to the 49ers last week.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Henry and McCaffrey are two of three players (Todd Gurley) with at least 1,500 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns since the start of last season.
2. Tennessee TE Jonnu Smith led the team in receptions (six) and receiving yards (78) and caught a touchdown pass last week while filling in for Delanie Walker (doubtful, ankle).
3. Carolina has four rushing touchdowns longer than 40 yards, the most in the NFL and the most in a season in franchise history.
PREDICTION: Titans 23, Panthers 20