Sorensen says: Unknowns remain with Allen

The big question is how he'll rebound from defeat

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