2019 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 6

Carolina Panthers (3-2) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-3)

Sunday, October 13, 9:30AM ET

I knew this Carolina Panthers team was better than it appeared to be to start the season. With an injured Cam Newton at the helm, things just weren’t going their way. With Newton on the sideline now and Kyle Allen running the show, the Panthers now have three wins in a row.

Expect more of the same in Week 6, when the Panthers visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — a team that has yet to win at home this year. And if I was putting money on this one, I would absolutely roll with Carolina as the club to come away with the W.

I’m assuming you’d like more reasoning than just the Panthers’ win streak and Buccaneers’ lack of success at home, though. So here it is: Carolina has Christian McCaffrey, an MVP candidate, in their backfield. Here’s more: the Panthers’ third-ranked pass defense is going to have fun against Jameis Winston, one of the most turnover-prone quarterbacks in the league.

Sure, the Buccaneers will keep things interesting. They’ve seen some solid offensive outings this season, especially when receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin get going. Still, they don’t have enough mental toughness to overcome a suddenly hot Carolina team on Sunday.

Prediction: Panthers win 35-24