Unicorn Queen (9-4) vs. Ruh Rawl ( (9-4)
Yahoo puts Tim's chances of winning at 68%. I disagree. I think the matchup is a lot closer than that. Tim is still the favorite, but I put his chances at closer to 55%.
QB: Tim's got Cam Newton in his corner. Over the last four weeks, he has thrown for 13 touchdowns and 1 interception. That's the good news. The bad news is that the Panthers benched him early last week to protect him, and if the Panthers build an early lead again, they may look to bench him again. This could be bad if all the Panthers' TDs come from defense, special teams, and the running game. Seems doubtful but still a possibility. The Panthers also play the Giants this week who have a reputation of being giant killers. I predict the game will be more defensive-minded affair with the final score in the 20s. Cam won't explode again for 5 TDs, but I can see a solid 2-3 TDs.
For David Lin, Bortles has been stellar -- throwing for 11 touchdowns and 2 interceptions in the same time span. In fact, he's outscored Cam two out of these four weeks. That's the good news. The bad news is that Bortles had a very slow start last week before kicking it into high gear in the second half. Is this something that David Lin should worry about? I doubt it. Plus, Bortles has a great matchup against a reeling Atlanta Falcons team. The Panthers dropped 38 points on them. I expect 2-3 TDs from Bortles too.
I've got to give Cam the slight edge here, but I doubt this matchup will be the difference maker in the long run.
QB: Tim's got Cam Newton in his corner. Over the last four weeks, he has thrown for 13 touchdowns and 1 interception. That's the good news. The bad news is that the Panthers benched him early last week to protect him, and if the Panthers build an early lead again, they may look to bench him again. This could be bad if all the Panthers' TDs come from defense, special teams, and the running game. Seems doubtful but still a possibility. The Panthers also play the Giants this week who have a reputation of being giant killers. I predict the game will be more defensive-minded affair with the final score in the 20s. Cam won't explode again for 5 TDs, but I can see a solid 2-3 TDs.
For David Lin, Bortles has been stellar -- throwing for 11 touchdowns and 2 interceptions in the same time span. In fact, he's outscored Cam two out of these four weeks. That's the good news. The bad news is that Bortles had a very slow start last week before kicking it into high gear in the second half. Is this something that David Lin should worry about? I doubt it. Plus, Bortles has a great matchup against a reeling Atlanta Falcons team. The Panthers dropped 38 points on them. I expect 2-3 TDs from Bortles too.
I've got to give Cam the slight edge here, but I doubt this matchup will be the difference maker in the long run.
Advantage: Unicorn Queen
WR: David Lin has a lot of momentum right now at WR. All of his players are peaking at the right time. In my opinion, OBJ has reached matchup-proof status. Sure, he's got a tough matchup this week against Carolina (and will probably have Norman shadowing him all game), but I still think he's going to get his. Watkins is also on a tear right now. He and Tyrod are finally healthy. He's getting a lot of targets, and the Bills are still in the playoff hunt. All of these signs point to another strong week from Watkins. Hurns returned last week and made a big splash. He's got a good matchup against Atlanta.
Now let's take a look at Tim's WRs. Maclin has been hit or miss all season long. The weeks that he's on, he's been amazing. The weeks that he's not on, he does nothing. Which Maclin is going to show up this week? I think the good Maclin shows up this week. After Maclin, Tim's got Martavis Bryant who has a tough matchup against Denver. He was playing well until his let down last week. I expect his numbers to be below average because it's Denver. Finally, Tim's got Allen Robinson who has been fairly darn consistent the last couple of weeks. The more points Robinson gets, the more he offsets Bortles effectiveness.
Tim is capable of matching David Lin stride for stride at WR, but I just don't expect all three of them to have a good week.
Now let's take a look at Tim's WRs. Maclin has been hit or miss all season long. The weeks that he's on, he's been amazing. The weeks that he's not on, he does nothing. Which Maclin is going to show up this week? I think the good Maclin shows up this week. After Maclin, Tim's got Martavis Bryant who has a tough matchup against Denver. He was playing well until his let down last week. I expect his numbers to be below average because it's Denver. Finally, Tim's got Allen Robinson who has been fairly darn consistent the last couple of weeks. The more points Robinson gets, the more he offsets Bortles effectiveness.
Tim is capable of matching David Lin stride for stride at WR, but I just don't expect all three of them to have a good week.
Advantage: Ruh Rawl (
RB: Tim's got the advantage at RB. Lamar Miller gets San Diego this week and is coming off a 2 TD performance against the Giants. David Johnson has been as steady as they come.
David Lin's got Tim Hightower and Fozzy Whittaker. They are both risks although well worth the plays considering the situation. Hightower is the only one toting the ball in NOLA and played well last week. Whittaker has the potential to be the #1 ballcarrier in Carolina this week with Stewart nursing an injury, but I'm a little wary that the Panthers may mix him in with Artis-Payne and Tolbert.
David Lin's got Tim Hightower and Fozzy Whittaker. They are both risks although well worth the plays considering the situation. Hightower is the only one toting the ball in NOLA and played well last week. Whittaker has the potential to be the #1 ballcarrier in Carolina this week with Stewart nursing an injury, but I'm a little wary that the Panthers may mix him in with Artis-Payne and Tolbert.
Advantage: Unicorn Queen
TE: Olsen had an injury scare last week (knee), and now I'm concerned the Panthers are going to limit him next week. Walker has been chipping in a solid 10+ points a game for the last 4 straight weeks. He's also Mariota's top WR (double digit targets). Got to go with Walker here.
Advantage: Ruh Rawl (
K/DEF: Kansas City has outplayed Denver two out of the past four weeks and has a great matchup against a weak Baltimore offense. Denver has gotten better the last two weeks but now faces the potent Steelers offense.
The past two weeks it's been TD galore for the Panthers, limiting the number of field goal opportunities Gano has received. I expect Gano to bounce back this week. Prater had a bad showing last week but should have plenty of opportunities next week against the Saints.
This one's too close to call.
Advantage: TieThe past two weeks it's been TD galore for the Panthers, limiting the number of field goal opportunities Gano has received. I expect Gano to bounce back this week. Prater had a bad showing last week but should have plenty of opportunities next week against the Saints.
This one's too close to call.
Winner: Ruh Rawl (
Oh, this was tough. It came down to whether or not I believed David Lin's WR/TE would outplay Tim's RBs. The answer was yes. I don't think all of Tim's WRs will have a good week nor do I expect Olsen to play much. David Lin for the upset.
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