Dont'a Hightower Injury Update
Through the first three weeks of the season, the New England Patriots have the NFL’s best-ranked offense. They also have the worst-ranked defense. It is perhaps unsurprising, then, that Dont’a Hightower, the defense’s signal-caller and captain, has missed the last two games due to an injured knee. And for impatient fans, it might be a red flag that, though he’s back on the practice field, Hightower hasn’t been allowed to really cut loose yet.
Whether or not Hightower plays, the 2-1 Patriots are currently 9-point favorites against the 2-1 Carolina Panthers. However, New England’s 26th-ranked rushing defense is allowing 130.3 yards per game, and head coach Bill Belichick has said that struggling Panthers quarterback Cam Newton remains “Public Enemy No. 1” because of his dual-threat ability to both run and throw.
If Hightower sits out and Newton finds his groove, the Panthers could cover that 9-point spread or even win outright. After all, they’ve got the NFL’s third-ranked pass defense (number two overall), so Patriots quarterback Tom Brady will likely have his hands full in Week 4. As for those of you thinking Brady might have another five-touchdown outing, don’t bet on it. BestUSASportsbooks.com is leaning on the underdog instead.