Sorensen says: Unknowns remain with Allen
Longtime Charlotte Observer sports columnist Tom Sorensen tries to help us wrap our arms around what to expect in the NFL. Here are his Week 8 picks.
Kyle Allen will play quarterback Sunday for the Carolina Panthers, as he has the last five games. We don’t know when reinforcements are coming or if they’re coming. The health of starter Cam Newton still is on hold.
Allen, 23, won his first four starts this season, and then, like his teammates, was overmatched and obliterated Sunday by San Francisco. Fortunately, the Panthers aren’t playing the 49ers next week. Unfortunately, their next two road games are against Green Bay and then New Orleans.
How good are the Panthers, and how will they react to their mauling by San Francisco? How will Allen, who did not throw an interception in his first four games as starter but threw three last week, react?
He doesn’t know. His coaches don’t know. But those of us who pick winners have to figure it out.
WEEK 9 PICKS:
Sunday
Carolina 4 over Tennessee
Houston 7 over Jacksonville
Minnesota 4 over Kansas City
New York Jets 5 over Miami
Buffalo 7 over Washington
Indianapolis 1 over Pittsburgh
Philadelphia 6 over Chicago
Seattle 8 over Tampa Bay
Oakland 3 over Detroit
Cleveland 5 over Denver
Green Bay 7 over Los Angeles Chargers
Baltimore 3 over New England
Monday
Dallas 8 over New York Giants
