2017 NFL Picks, score predictions for Week 6

Philadelphia Eagles (4-1) at Carolina Panthers (4-1)

Thursday, Oct. 12, 8:30 p.m. ET

Part of me feels like I’m going to regret this decision. I’ve ridden the Philadelphia Eagles all season long, and they’ve only let me down once. Meanwhile, the one time I felt completely confident in the Carolina Panthers’ odds of winning, they choked. Still, I’m rolling with Carolina in this one.

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It took some off-field controversy, but a fire was finally lit under Cam Newton last weekend. After a lackluster start to the season, he exploded against the Detroit Lions, throwing for 355 yards and three touchdowns. As it so happens, the Eagles don’t exactly boast a terrific pass defense.

They do, however, excel at slowing the ground game. That’s why it’s going to be up to Newton to put the Panthers in the win column in Week 6. And based on what we saw last weekend against a similarly suspect secondary, the 2015 NFL MVP appears up to the challenge.

Yes, Carson Wentz will make some big throws — probably to Zach Ertz. However, the Carolina defense is simply too talented to let Philadelphia run roughshod on them. The Panthers will make a few key plays in the clutch to ensure their record improves to 5-1 on Thursday night.

Prediction: Panthers win 24-22