12:14 AM ET  09.21 |     Game: Carolina (2-0) at Minnesota (0-2)


And to all you bookies out there: TAKE THE PANTHERS!

Why?

First off it's a game of stars.

Carolina is getting their playmaker in Steve Smith back who I believe will have a huge week. Delhomme has done a very solid job so far without him, so adding him will just make him 5x better.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Peterson is questionable, and hasn't practiced all week. Even if AP plays, his time playing will be limited. If he doesn't, then Chestor Taylor gets the full load.

Now, onto QBs.

I agree with the move to start Gus Ferotte. But it may take a game or two to get used to the system and into a real game mode. Ferotte's WRs are nothing special.

The spread- 3.5. This game is this because of two reasons.

1. AT Minnesota
2. Minnesota's DESPERATE

But, in Minnesota, they lost last week right? And didn't Carolina beat SD in week 1 away? Carolina has statiscally been a great road team covering spreads.

Onto Minnesota being desperate. It's true. Losing this game puts them in a huge hole. But it's hard to win without a QB, your best player questionable, and a team that can't score a touchdown.

Carolina will expose Ferotte and stack the box and make the RBs beat them NOT Ferotte. On defense, I believe the 1-2 punch of Williams and Stewart will work because of the speed-power combo. And once again, Smith coming back vs a shakey secondary should be a bonus.

And also, the game should be close. So IF Minnesota wins which I don't think they will, Carolina still covers on a FG.