No McCaffrey, say reports, as Falcons-Panthers kick off NFL Week 8 Thursday. Our pick | Opinion
NFL WEEK 8
GREG COTE’S THURSDAY PICK
FALCONS (1-6) at PANTHERS (3-4)
Line: CAR by 2 1/2.
Cote’s pick: CAR 27-20.
TV: 8:20 p.m. Thursday, Fox/NFL.
The overarching question entering Thursday night’s Week 8 kickoff was whether the Panthers — and his eager fantasy owners — finally would see Christian McCaffrey back on the field. Carolina’s dual-threat back (and 2019 fantasy points champ) has been sidelined since a high ankle sprain in Week 2 but coach Matt Rhule said he was “hopeful” of a return. I doubted it, on a short week, and against a rival the Panthers beat on the road without McCaffrey 23-16 on October 11. Sure enough, there are now reports McCaffrey won’t play Thursday. Cats won the earlier meeting mostly with Teddy Bridgewater’s arm strafing arguably the league’s worst pass defense. Carolina’s pass D is better, and Julio Jones (hip) could be hobbled if he goes at all. Still a medium upset shot for the ATL, which had won five in a row in series before the game three weeks ago, but give us Cats for the season sweep against an opponent that holds a lead as if it were an unpinned hand grenade.
[Note: Picks for remainder of Week 8 games will appear online Thursday afternoon and in print Friday] .
This story was originally published October 28, 2020 at 1:44 PM.
