Williams: Predictions for Cincinnati Bengals vs. Carolina Panthers; UC Bearcats vs. Navy

My six-game Bengals prediction winning streak came to an end in Cleveland. Meanwhile, I extended my Cincinnati Bearcats winning streak to seven games last weekend. Here are this week's predictions for the Bengals and Bearcats:

NFL prediction: Cincinnati Bengals (4-4) vs. Carolina Panthers (2-6), 1 p.m., Sunday, FOX

This looked like an easy win for the Bengals entering the season. Not anymore.

We’ve seen enough of the Bengals to know that there aren’t any for-sure victories on the remaining schedule. The mounting injuries and offensive problems point to the Bengals continuing to be up and down.

Carolina deserves a little credit. The embattled Panthers have been competitive the last two weeks, despite firing coach Matt Rhule and trading star running back Christian McCaffrey last month.

The Panthers have been sparked by two players who originally weren’t expected to play big roles this season — quarterback P.J. Walker and running back D’Onta Foreman.

Injuries to Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold have forced the Panthers to start Walker, who played in the XFL in 2020. Walker will be backed up by Mayfield, the former Browns QB who has a 6-1 career record vs. the Bengals. Don’t be surprised to see Mayfield if Walker struggles.

Foreman stepped up to rush for 118 yards in a surprising 18-point win over Tampa Bay on Oct. 23. He then rushed for another 118 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s overtime loss at Atlanta. Could Foreman be in for another big game?

The Bengals have struggled against the run without injured defensive tackle D.J. Reader. Cincinnati has allowed an average of 165.5 yards rushing the last four games.

The Bengals can neutralize the Panthers’ rushing attack by getting off to a fast start on offense. Cincinnati is 3-0 when the Bengals have scored first.

But the offense was inept on Monday, the first game without receiver Ja’Marr Chase (hip). The Bengals have no offensive identity without Joe Burrow’s favorite target. There is no quick fix.

Carolina has nothing to lose. The pressure is building on the Bengals, as NFL fans are starting to wonder if last season's Super Bowl run was a fluke. The Bengals are the better team. They should be motivated after the Browns loss. And they should be determined to go into the bye week with a winning record.

Prediction: Bengals win, 24-21

Last week: Cincinnati lost to Cleveland, 32-13. I predicted the Bengals would win, 27-24.

My season record: 6-2

College football prediction: Cincinnati Bearcats (6-2, 3-1 AAC) vs. Navy Midshipmen (3-5, 3-3), 4 p.m., Saturday, ESPNU

Bearcats fans are rightfully down after the loss at Central Florida, but UC still has a lot to play for.

UC still has a shot to make its fourth straight appearance in the American Athletic Conference championship game. And there's an outside chance the Bearcats could still be the Group of Five representative in the New Year's Six bowl.

Good news: The toughest part of the schedule is behind the Bearcats. Three of their last four regular-season games are at Nippert Stadium, where UC has won 30 straight.

The Bearcats have been strong down the stretch under sixth-year coach Luke Fickell. UC is 16-4 in regular-season November games since 2017.

"No matter what we have said since the day we walked in here, November is when it really, really matters," Fickell said. "This is a stretch that we talked about all throughout winter workouts, spring football. It is not who you play at the end, but how you do at the end of the year."

Prediction: Bearcats win, 31-20

Last week: UC lost to Central Florida, 25-21. I predicted the Bearcats would lose, 35-31.

My season record: 7-0 (the predictions column didn’t start until after UC’s season-opening loss at Arkansas)

Contact sports columnist Jason Williams by email at jwilliams@enquirer.com and on Twitter @jwilliamscincy.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: NFL Week 9 prediction: Carolina Panthers at Cincinnati Bengals