NFL betting guide Week 5: Packers and Rams deserve your money

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 9: Russell Wilson (3) of the Seattle Seahawks before the third quarter against the Denver Broncos. The Denver Broncos hosted the Seattle Seahawks at Broncos Stadium at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, September 9, 2018. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /

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ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 16: Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) points out the defense in an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons on September 16, 2018 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Atlanta Falcons won the game 31-24. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Take the Panthers -3 against the Bengals

The Panthers really missed an opportunity to score a big win at Atlanta last week. Expect Carolina to be really motivated to play well in front of the home crowd against the Bengals. Three points just isn’t enough to support Cincinnati in this one.

Don’t underestimate just how much the Bengals offense is going to miss Joe Mixon. He’s been huge for them in their opening two games. Andy Dalton is going to miss handing him the ball in the backfield and throwing to him out in the flat. His knee injury is a big deal for this team.

Carolina’s defense is really going to want to atone for giving up over 100 yards to Tevin Coleman last week. That’d bad new for Giovani Bernard. He’s not going to have much room at all to run against the Panthers’ talented front seven.

One thing that isn’t getting a ton of press is the job that James Bradberry did on Julio Jones last week. He didn’t shut the Falcons’ ace down, but he made him look human. Look for Bradberry to keep A.J. Green from going off this week.

This game will be close heading into the fourth quarter, but Newton has a significant advantage over Dalton. Count on the Panthers to make enough plays to win this by a touchdown.

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