2022 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 9

Carolina Panthers (2-6) at Cincinnati Bengals (4-4)

Sunday, November 6, 1:00 PM ET

Since the Carolina Panthers fired Matt Rhule and inserted PJ Walker into the starting lineup, we’ve started to see a resurgence for wide receiver DJ Moore. Is that altogether surprising? Not really.

The Panthers have wisely started getting the ball to no. 2, but Moore is also part of the reason the Panthers lost on Sunday in a crucial matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. PJ Walker heaved up a Hail Mary which was reeled in by Moore to tie the game. Moore, unfortunately, took off his helmet after the clutch touchdown, pushing the extra point back to a 48-yard attempt.

Which was of course missed. The Panthers had a shot to win with a much shorter field goal in overtime, but Eddy Pineiro missed that as well. The Panthers would have had no chance of winning without DJ Moore’s clutch reception, but they also kind of lost because of his celebration. Tough times in Carolina, no doubt. They would have been in first place.

Now, they have a matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 9, and the Bengals were one of the hotter teams in the NFL in the month of October before their blowout loss on Monday night against the Browns. Although Cincinnati is having to deal with an injury to Ja’Marr Chase, their offense is more than capable of putting up big numbers even in his absence, and the Bengals’ defense has been one of the more underrated units this season.

Of course, they were absolutely smoked against the Browns, so nothing is impossible and not even the Panthers should be overlooked here.

Although Carolina seems to have been jumpstarted under interim head coach Steve Wilks, I’m not banking on them going on the road against the reigning AFC champions and getting a win.

Prediction: Bengals win 28-16