Editor’s note: NESN.com’s Mike Cole, Ricky Doyle and Andre Khatchaturian deliver their NFL picks every Thursday of the season, and here’s who they like in the Carolina Panthers-Los Angeles Rams Week 9 game, with the line from OddsShark.
(-3) Carolina Panthers (2-5) at Los Angeles Rams (3-4), Sunday, 4:05 p.m.
Mike: Rams. I’m making this pick not knowing who the Rams will start at quarterback (while also knowing said QB likely will stink), but I think the Rams find a way to win this on defense against a Carolina team I’m not ready to believe in.
Ricky: Panthers. Sometimes, it takes one win to get back on track. I don’t expect the Panthers to suddenly morph back into their 2015 selves, but their defense has something to build on after last week’s win over the Cardinals.
Andre: Rams. Neither team can really move the ball. Even though the Panthers won in Week 8, Cam Newton still struggled, going 14 of 27 with no touchdowns. Aaron Donald is one of the best in the game at providing pressure, so I think Newton struggles again and the Rams feed off home energy and and force a few turnovers against a team that has a minus-7 turnover differential (T-28th) to win the game.
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