Published Oct 14, 8:02pm ET by
Paul Lebowitz - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Oct 14, 8:02pm ET
Grok AI
Updated Oct 14, 8:03pm ET
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| New York Jets | +2 (-110) |
| Carolina Panthers | -2 (-110) |
Are the Panthers ready to take the next step into playoff contention?
They have won their last two games by beating the Dolphins and the Cowboys. Running back Rico Dowdle has been on a tear. Against Miami, he ran for 206 yards on 23 carries and followed that up in a "revenge" game against his former team, Dallas, that let him walk as a free agent. He accrued 183 yards on a whopping 30 carries. He also caught 4 passes for 56 yards.
It was a good, good day for @ricodowdle:
— NFL (@NFL) October 5, 2025
- 234 total yards
- 1 TD
- Big W at home@Panthers | @FedEx pic.twitter.com/UenLPJmQi3
In both cases, he wasn't exactly competing against the 1985 Bears, but that amount of yardage is impressive regardless of who it's against. The workload is massive.
It remains too soon to tell if Bryce Young has turned the corner after the slow start to his career. Carolina keeps him in a specific game plan of high-percentage passes. In only one game this season has he surpassed 199 yards, and that was when the Panthers fell behind the Cardinals 27-3 and needed to throw the ball to make a run -- which they did -- before succumbing.
Against the Cowboys, he threw for 199 yards and 3 TDs. Overall, he has a passer rating of 84.0 with 10 TDs and 5 picks. His completion percentage sits at 61.8.
There are areas where the Panthers need to improve to make a legitimate playoff run. They are 17th in the league in defensive passing yards per game. They're -4 in takeaway differential. However, if they clean that up, they could squeak into the postseason.
It's unfair to lay the blame for the Jets' 0-6 start at the feet of QB Justin Fields. His numbers are respectable enough with a 94.2 passer rating, a 65.0 completion percentage, 4 TDs, and no interceptions.
Still, he cannot get the ball downfield with any consistency, and opposing teams know it, daring him to throw the ball deep. Under the circumstances, it's remarkable that New York's rushing attack has been as successful as it has been. Fields has rushed for 235 yards. Breece Hall has 410 yards on the ground and is averaging 4.7 yards per carry.
The 13-11 loss to the Broncos in London could have been the tipping point. Fields was an impotent 9 for 17 and 45 yards. He was sacked 9 times for 55 yards. Head coach Aaron Glenn could turn to veteran Tyrod Taylor.
Justin Fields: 9 Pases completos.
— Joshúa Maya (@PlaysOfTheWeek) October 12, 2025
Broncos D: 9 Sacks
GAME OVA. pic.twitter.com/F1i1h5MLcB
Had the Jets gotten some level of competent QB play, they would have beaten Denver.
From the rumblings around the Jets, it sounds as if the team wants Taylor.
Glenn is said to be staying with Fields, but there will be a quick hook against the Panthers.
The Jets' defense is 23rd in the league against the rush, which does not bode well given how well Dowdle is playing. They have been solid against the pass, ranked 10th. They are next-to-last in takeaway differential at -7. As expected, they are last in passing yards per game.
They could be without wide receiver Garrett Wilson, who is dealing with a knee injury.
Glenn might be reluctant to hang the team's woeful start on Fields, but he's neither stupid nor deaf. He cannot lose the locker room, and it sounds as if that is exactly what is going to happen if he stays with the struggling QB instead of turning to the veteran.
| PLAYER | STATUS |
|---|---|
| Chuba Hubbard, CAR | INJURED |
| Tershawn Wharton, CAR | INJURED |
| Ja'Tavion Sanders, CAR | INJURED |
| Taylor Morton, CAR | INJURED |
| Akayleb Evans, CAR | INJURED |
| Garrett Wilson, NYJ | INJURED |
| Allen Lazard, NYJ | INJURED |
| Michael Carter II, NYJ | INJURED |
For the Panthers-Jets NFL Week 7 battle, Carolina is trying to avoid a letdown. They also want to get above .500 right before a relatively rough stretch starting with games against the Bills and Packers.
The Jets just want a win. Any win will do by any score.
The Panthers will continue giving the ball to Dowdle -- it's certainly been successful over the past two games. New York struggles against the run, and Carolina must stick to the ground.
Expect to see Taylor very early if the Jets are not moving the ball. If Glenn waits too long and the Jets lose again, the murmurs about his job status -- silly though they are this early in his tenure -- will grow louder and louder. And if there's one thing that is known about owner Woody Johnson, he listens to the media and fans, often for the worse.
The Panthers will win and cover the spread...then the madness that typically surrounds the Jets will get worse, if possible.
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Pick
Carolina Panthers -2
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