The Packers are desperate at 5-6, but hope is not lost, as they are one game out in the NFC North. Lay the field goal in a divisional sandwich game for Carolina.

The 8-3 Carolina Panthers were manhandled in a 45-28 loss at Atlanta last Sunday, allowing the most points in coach John Fox's seven seasons as the team's head coach.

Green Bay Packers -3 to declaw Carolina Panthers in Lambeau

Meanwhile, the Green Bay Packers lost 51-29 at New Orleans on Monday night, allowing the most points by a Green Bay team since a 51-21 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on September 21, 1980.

Does that mean the teams will "tighten up" on defense this Sunday? I think not. The Panthers were second in the NFL in scoring defense two weeks ago but fell to seventh after giving up 67 points in their last two games. The Packers entered their Monday night game in New Orleans third in pas defense, but allowed Drew Brees to throw for 323 yards and four touchdowns.

The matchups in this game set up for another high scoring affair despite some expected inclement weather conditions. Green Bay's rushing defense is terrible, allowing 142.9 yards per game (4.8 yards per carry) and the Panthers have two solid running backs.

Williams is up to 883 yards on the season (5.1 YPC / 7 touchdowns) after topping 100 yards in four straight games (6.8 YPC in that span). Rookie Stewart has 528 yards (4.3 YPC / 6 TDs). Quarterback Jake Delhomme has had a nice comeback this year from Tommy John surgery, and while he's no Brees, he has better wide receivers in Smith and Muhammad.

All things considered, Rodgers has had a good season replacing Brett Favre. He's completed 63.5 percent, has a 17-9 ratio and a 90.5 QB rating. Receivers Jennings and Driver have both had solid seasons and Ryan Grant has averaged 93.0 YPG on the ground the last seven games, since shaking off some nagging minor injuries.

Green Bay is 5-6 in the NFC North, trailing Chicago and Minnesota (both 6-5). The Bears and Vikings meet on Sunday night, so the Packers know that a win keeps them one game behind Sunday night's winner and tied with its loser. As for the Panthers, they are off an embarrassing loss to the Falcons and have a home game with the Bucs next Sunday (both are 8-3 heading into this weekend).

I expect a high scoring game but I also favor the desperate home team over the 8-3 road team which finds itself between division rivals Atlanta (last week) and Tamp Bay (next week).

Take the Packers.

Free Pick: Packers -3 (-110)

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