Sean Higgs with your FREE PICK for Sunday.

We head to Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, as we find the red-hot Carolina Panthers in search of their 8th straight victory. You can watch your winning ticket come in at 1pm EST on FOX Sunday afternoon! The surging Panthers are just a game behind the New Orleans Saints and in position to possibly win the NFC South Division. The Tamp Bay Buccaneers have won 3 straight after starting the year 0-8.

Let's start off with the Carolina Panthers. They are the hottest team in the league right now. The big thing that I take away from their winning streak is the fact they have won close games the last few times out. Those are the type of games that legit playoff teams win. And the Panthers by pulling out a pair of last minute TD drives are showing the league that their QB has taken a big step forward after his sophomore slump.

After an 0-8 start, the release of former #1 draft pick QB Josh Freeman, a MRSA outbreak and a near mutiny by players not believed to be 'Schiano' guys, the Buccaneers have reeled off 3 straight victories behind rookie QB Mike Glennon. The former 3rd pick has tossed 10 TDs and just 1 interception over the last 6 games. RB Doug Martin hasn't enjoyed a great season, but the rush attack load has been carried by Bobby Rainey who has rushed for almost 250 yards and has scored 4 total TDs the last 3 games.

As much love as Cam Newton has been getting lately, I think people are over-looking a very good defense. These guys are 3rd overall in total defense and are allowing 13.7ppg. If we take out the Brady led Pats scoring 20 points here vs Carolina, this defense is allowing less than 10 points per game at home. LB Luke Kuechly is a beast right on that side of the ball. That unit, will be the key to this game here on Sunday.

Let's get right to it here. We can easily jump to scheduling here and say 'Let Down Game' for the Panthers. You can hear any number of people claiming this is a 'look ahead game' with the Saints on deck and control of the division. They need this for the South Title. All fair points people. I am not going to argue one bit on them.

But I will hit you with a little reality check about our rookie led Tampa squad. The fact is, this team is in a prime let-down spot. They went on a road and beat a decent Lions team with some timely turnovers. The Bucs were out-gained 390-229! They forced INTs and recovered a fumble. One of the INTs went for a TD. Bucs with interceptions on the 1, the 15 and with under a minute on the 3. Do you expect Cam Newton to be throwing the ball like Stafford today? That isn't happening. Neither is Tampa forcing 5 turnovers.

On the flip side we get a rookie QB vs a very aggressive and very good Carolina defense. As nice as Bobby Rainey has been the last few weeks, the guy is still the 3rd string RB for the Bucs. Do we think that Tampa is talented enough on offense to beat this Carolina defense? I don't think so Tampa is off its first road win of the season. Very good teams win back to back games on the road. Not teams that lose 8 straight.

For Sunday, I am recommending that you take the CAROLINA PANTHERS -7 and Bury the Man today!