Jacksonville Jaguars vs Carolina Panthers | Predictions, Pick, Preview & Odds - September 25, 2011 | Sportsbookbuzz.com

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JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-1) vs. CAROLINA PANTHERS (0-2)

When: Sunday, September 25, 1:00 PM ET
Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Broadcast: CBS

Spread: Panthers -3 ½
Moneyline: Jaguars +165; Panthers -190
Total: 43 points

The Jaguars vs. Panthers Week 3 game could have easily been looked at as the potential snoozer of the week but Rookie Blaine Gabbert will get his first career start against Super-Rookie and NFL second leading passer Cam Newton. It will be very intriguing indeed! While the Panthers have looked good in two losses so far this season, the Jaguars come into the game after an embarrassing and humbling defeat in Week 2.

Jacksonville had to make a change at quarterback. Luke McCown had 59 yards passing and 4 interceptions when he was removed from last week’s game. It’s clearly Blaine Gabbert time even though McCown outshone Gabbert during the preseason. Are ya just a little worried about the Jags? Me too!

At least Jacksonville has Maurice Jones-Drew and a rushing attack that is 6^th ranked early in the season averaging 137 yards per game. If there is ever a time for MJD to put his money where his mouth is, it is now! The passing game has yet to throw a touchdown this season and the Jags are averaging a horrendous 9.5 points per game.

Carolina has a lot to look forward to – the Panthers are back and seemingly transformed from a team that grinded out games to a team that electrifies the crowd – nice to see. Cam Newton has been immense leading the Panthers to an uncharacteristic 44 points in two games and passing for 854 yards along the way! Steve Smith is reborn and the veteran Tight End duo of Jeremy Shockey and Greg Olsen has really chipped in.

The only thing lacking in the Carolina attack is rushing. The team is averaging just 72.5 yards on the ground and has yet to reach the end zone – amazing!

The key to this game could be defense believe it or not. Jacksonville looked OK on defense last week against the Jets despite getting blown out. They limited Mark Sanchez to 182 yards passing and intercepted him twice. Carolina’s defense has given up a ton of points as well but has looked OK despite it. The Panthers held their own against the Packers last week and impressed me!

Betting Outlook: The Jacksonville Jaguars will have one offensive dimension that is trustworthy on Sunday – the run game. Expect the defensive mind of Ron Rivera have his troops ready to stop Maurice Jones-Drew. Once this is accomplished it will be Newton-time again. There is no way that a fractured Jags franchise will slow the Carolina train. The difference this week for Carolina is that they will finally emerge victorious.

The odds makers have the Carolina Panthers as a -3.5 point favorite with an over/under of 43.

Pick: Carolina Panthers -3 ½

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