NFL Week 3: Panthers at Raiders
Hicks Pick: Raiders poach the hapless Panthers in Vegas
Sunday, Sept. 22, 4:05 p.m. ET, Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas), CBS
Carolina coach Dave Canales’ decision to banish Bryce Young to the sidelines is as close as the NFL comes to a mercy killing. The second-year QB and last year’s No. 1 overall pick proved utterly ineffective in Carolina’s first two games, as the Panthers managed a combined 13 points. Veteran quarterback Andy Dalton takes over in Week 3, but it seems wishful thinking that he will turn around a Panthers’ offense bereft of an offensive line and playmakers. The Red Rifle will look more like red meat to Maxx Crosby and company.
Meanwhile, the Vegas offense might have found something in their huge road win over the Ravens. Both WR Davante Adams and rookie tight end Brock Bowers came up huge. The Raiders are dead last in the NFL in rushing, but the Panthers defense has been nearly as bad as the offense. Expect Gardner Minshew and his mates to build on a clutch fourth-quarter performance in Baltimore.
PICK: Raiders 27, Panthers 9
Key matchups
S Xavier Woods and S Jordan Fuller (CAR) vs. TE Brock Bowers (LV): Bowers put on an impressive demonstration of route running and making catches in traffic against Baltimore. Woods and Fuller are capable tacklers in space and could limit Bowers RAC yardage, but we still see the celebrated rookie making multiple big plays this week.
WR Diontae Johnson (CAR) vs. CBs Jack Jones and Jakorian Bennett: This matchup is conceivably where the Panthers can make some hay. Jones and Bennett are solid corners, and each did record two passes defensed against Lamar Jackson last week. But Johnson has a history of success against the Raiders (14 catches in two games as a Steeler), and something tells us the vet Dalton will consistently look Johnson’s way Sunday.
