Tampa Bay at Carolina

Carolina is a top 10 team this season while Tampa Bay is... well... not. Tampa has a great defense but Carolina is much more balanced and explosive. Carolina made a statement within the division last week by dismantling the Falcons. This week they can make another one by taking a 2 game lead if they beat Tampa. DeShaun Foster had a breakout game last week, putting up 131 yards on the ground on 24 carries. The Panthers have quietly won 8 of their last 9 games. Chris Simms has shown steady improvement but he's going up against the league's 4th best defense here. A defense ranked second against the run that is going to put the game on young Chris Simms' shoulders. Tampa beat New Orleans 10-3 last week but in that game they were actually outgained 256-280. If not for their 4-0 turnover difference, they would have lost - to the Saints! That doesn't instill confidence. In December, teams that have allowed less than 10 points in two straight games hit at about 70% ATS including 1-0 so far this year. Two stars on the Panthers to win big.