NFL Week 8: Vikings’ Twickenham test & vital NFC South face-off

Sunday’s match-up between Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers may well prove to be the most important game in the division this year. The Panthers started with three wins from four, but have slipped to successive defeats ahead of this game. The Bucs are also 0-2 after a bright start to the campaign.

Tampa saw off Chicago Bears and New York Giants in their first two home games, but a leaky defence has cost them dear of late. They’ve now shipped 30+ points in successive games.

One thing the Panthers do have is a decent away record. Having already won in New England, Detroit and San Francisco, the Coral News Team fancy Ron Rivera’s men can do the damage at Tampa this weekend. Carolina to Win in the Money Line can be backed at 21/20.

In-form Chargers face serious test of their credentials

After their San Diego incarnation finished last season bottom of the AFC West with 11 defeats, few expected the Los Angeles Chargers to be a force this term. But despite a predictably ropy start, they’ve arguably been the form team in the NFL over the past three weeks.

Having seen off New York Giants and Oakland Raiders on the road, the Chargers produced a stunning 21-0 shutout of Denver Broncos at the StubHub Center. That marked the first time Denver had suffered a shutout since November 1992.

That’s all mightily impressive, but the real test of the Chargers’ mettle and ambitions will come in this week’s visit to New England Patriots. The Pats have also won three on the trot, but are no longer an immovable force at home – losing twice at Gillette Stadium already this year.

With Money Line: LA Chargers as long as 14/5, a triumph for the away side looks well priced. Meanwhile, the Chargers +7.0 handicap looks good value at Evens.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing