Carolina at Washington

What a frustrating and disappointing season it has been for the Carolina Panthers. Last season they went 15-1 and played in the Super Bowl and this year they are 5-8 and won't be going back. This team started super "tight" and as a result, lost five of their first six games. But a funny thing happened after that. They losened up a bit and have since gone 3-3 with the three losses coming against three of the best teams in the league (Kansas City, Oakland and Seattle). If the playoffs started today, the Redskins, at 7-5-1, would be one of the six NFC teams heading for the post-season. Carolina has nothing to lose, and Riverboat Ron may hold some tricks up his sleeve here. Washington may be tight. It is always tougher playing needing to win, especially vs. a team that has nothing to lose. Washington has not been a good defensive team, and it will be tough stopping Cam Newton and company. Against elite QBs (Ben Roethlisberger, Dak Prescott, Eli Manning, Andy Dalton, Aaron Rodgers and Carson Palmer), the Skins have allowed over 29 points per game. Washington is just 2-3-1 in their last six games and have allowed 20+ points in each of their last seven. Teams that allow more than 24 points a game from Week 15 and out, are just 18-27 ATS as a -5.5 point home favorite or more. Make the play on Carolina to at least keep this one close.