Thursday night wager: Newton to shine as Panthers stop Eagles' streak
Thursday Night Football may have begun with some duds this season, but the schedule has blessed viewers with solid games in recent weeks.
That trend looks set to continue with a matchup of 4-1 teams, as the Philadelphia Eagles square off with the Carolina Panthers in Week 6.
Here's what side of the point spread to toss your cash on before kickoff.
The wager: Philadelphia Eagles at Carolina Panthers (-3)
The Eagles roll into Carolina on a three-game winning streak after absolutely hammering the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday night. Carson Wentz's struggles to end last season appear to be long gone, as the second-year quarterback has looked strong in 2017. And while the offense gets the accolades, the Eagles' defense has also been very sound, ranking second league-wide against the run.
Meanwhile, after a stunning 34-13 home loss to the New Orleans Saints, the Panthers have completely turned things around with wins at the New England Patriots and Detroit Lions. The offense, which looked anemic through the opening three weeks, has rebounded to post 60 points over the last two games combined, and Cam Newton is pushing the ball downfield with great success. The star quarterback is completing 63 percent of his passes that travel 15-plus yards, and has found an emerging star in receiver Devin Funchess.
Look for the the Eagles' 29th-ranked pass defense to struggle with the Panthers' multi-pronged attack, and for Newton to make enough plays to cover the three points. Panthers 27, Eagles 20
Thursday picks record: 4-1