This is an interesting match-up that we have here between two teams who are definitely on the rise.  While the Carolina Panthers are only 4-9 overall, they’ve had a large number of very close losses and are definitely one of the scarier teams in the NFL, who can pull off an upset any week.  Now they are up against a Houston Texans team who is 10-3 overall, and has rallied through all types of injuries, including losing two quarterbacks in Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart, their top wide out in Andre Johnson, and one of the best defensive ends out there in Mario Williams.  The Texans have already locked up their division, and are now simply looking to hold one of the top two spots in the AFC when the season comes to an end.  They are being led by rookie quarterback TJ Yates, who is rivaling the quarterback on the other team, Cam Newton, as a serious play maker.

The Panthers on the other hand are an electrifying offense, who can really go off at any time it seems like.  Cam Newton is definitely a front runner to be the Rookie of the Year, and having a nice finish to the season would help his cause quite a bit.  The Panthers will rely heavily on Newton in this game, while the Texans will rely on their running game with Arian Foster and Ben Tate.

This game will kick off at 1:00pm EST, and has the potential to be one of the games of the week that no one is really talking about!  On top of that, we love our betting pick here as well!

Odds and Sports Betting Line

Carolina Panthers: +6.5

Houston Texans: -6.5

Free Prediction

It’s tough to bet against this Texans team right now who has overcome so much adversity to this point in the season.  The Texans 10 win season is no fluke, and I think that they’ll definitely get the job done at home against this injured and below average Panthers defense.  The Panthers will keep it close though, and I definitely don’t think that the Texans will be able to pull off a blowout with the large number of injuries on their roster.  I’m going with the Panthers to win by a field goal.

Prediction:  Houston Texans- 24 Carolina Panthers- 21

Free Pick

If we can get this one at +7 it’d be perfect, but I still like the Panthers to keep this game close.  The Texans don’t have the same high powered offense as they did to start the year, but I think that the team is talented enough to win quite a few games.  The Panthers offense can put some points on the board, but their real issue is their defense.  This makes an interesting match-up, and I think that this game could open a few eyes about both teams heading into the final games of the season.  In the end though, I’ll take the Texans to win, but I’m picking the Carolina Panthers to cover the spread of +6.5 on Sunday.

Pick:  Carolina Panthers: +6.5