Carolina at Minnesota

Carolina is a half-game out of first in the division no one wants to win. The Panthers are off a bye week and the defense gets a boost as ball-hawking Bené Benwikere is back in the Carolina Panthers' secondary, returning to his starting role this week. The Panthers are 15-5-1 ATS vs. a team with a losing record, and 15-7 ATS on the road against a team with a losing home record. Minnesota has a losing record at home and rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has been sacked 22 times behind an offensive line that lost right tackle Phil Loadholt to a season-ending pectoral injury in Sunday's loss to Green Bay. Last place Minnesota is #14 in the NFL in rushing after losing star RB Adrian Peterson, and the defense is #21 against the run, which Carolina likes to do. When they met last year the Panthers rolled to a 35-10 win that helped save Ron Rivera's job and the season. Under Rivera, this team is 11-3 ATS vs. bad teams (.400 or worse). In addition, this is a low total for an NFL game especially considering the Panthers allow 34.4 per game on the road and Minnesota 25 per game at home. Carolina is 4-0 OVER the total on the road and 9-4 OVER after a defeat. Minnesota is 9-4 OVER the total at home against a team with a losing road record. Take the points and take the OVER.