The Carolina Panthers (-3.5) are traveling south to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. This NFC South game will get going at 1:00 p.m. ET and FOX will broadcast the action.
Betting Preview: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers
Tampa Bay is a live dog and is currently getting 3.5 points in this NFC game. The Panthers are also receiving -160 moneyline odds while the Buccaneers are +140. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 56 points, and if one team can create a bunch of points in the early stages, it will likely produce a nice betting opportunity in-game.
This game’s line opened at 3, while the total has yet to change since being initially set at 56.
The Panthers have recorded 0.6 units so far and are 5-6 against the spread (ATS). The team has recorded an Over-Under mark of 7-4.
The Buccaneers have lost 1.2 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 4-6-1 ATS and eight of their games have gone over the total.
The Panthers are 6-5 straight up (SU), including 1-1 SU against NFC South opponents. The Buccaneers are 4-7 SU overall and 1-2 SU versus divisional foes.
The Panthers came up short to Seattle 30-27 in a Week 12 matchup where Cam Newton completed 25-of-30 passes for 256 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Christian McCaffrey (125 yards on 17 rush attempts, one TD) and the signal-caller Newton (63 yards on eight carries) mounted the ground attack. McCaffrey (11 receptions, 112 yards, one TD) and D.J. Moore (eight catches, 91 yards) handled the receiving duties in the defeat.
Tampa Bay just put together a 27-9 win over San Francisco in Week 12. Jameis Winston completed 29-of-38 passes for 312 yards and two touchdowns. Peyton Barber (47 yards on 18 rush attempts, one TD) led the running game as Adam Humphries (six receptions, 54 yards, one TD) and Mike Evans (six catches, 116 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the win.
Carolina’s run the ball on 44.3 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Tampa Bay has an overall rush percentage of 38.1 percent. The Panthers have produced 138.4 rush yards/game (including 150.0 per game versus South opponents) and have 13 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Bucs are averaging 98.5 rush yards per game (105.0 in conference) and have eight total rushing TDs.
If the results so far this season can translate to this game, then it appears the Panthers ought to hold an edge when it comes to efficiency in the ground game, as their running backs has generated 5.3 yards per carry while their defense is allowing 4.1 yards per rush attempt to opponents. The Buccaneers have tallied 3.9 yards per carry and allowed 4.7 YPC to opponents.
The Panthers offense has tallied 246.5 yards per contest through the air overall (291.0 per game against conference opposition) and has 22 passing scores so far. The Bucs have put up an astonishing 368.9 pass yards per game (352 in the NFC) and have 27 total pass TDs.
Carolina seems to possess the upper hand in both defensive facets. The team has allowed opponents to run for an average of 96.4 yards and throw for 274.1 yards per game. The Tampa Bay D has allowed 291.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 116.7 yards per game to opposing runners. The Panthers are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of 6.86 to opponents, while the Bucs have given up a staggering 8.57 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Newton is up to 2,342 yards this season, and has completed 70 percent of his 322 attempts with 19 scores through the air and only six interceptions. He’s got a 6.85 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 8.53 over the last two games.
As a group, Christian McCaffrey, D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel have collectively accounted for 699 total yards and five touchdowns over the last two outings.
Jameis Winston has managed to complete 125-of-186 passes for 1,493 yards, eight TDs and 10 INTs for Tampa Bay. His ANY/A stands at 5.67 for the year and 9.78 across his last two games.
As a trio, Mike Evans, Peyton Barber and Adam Humphries have combined for 523 total yards and five touchdowns the last two games.
Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL Pick
SU Winner: Panthers, ATS Winner: Buccaneers, O/U: Under
Betting Notes
- The Tampa Bay offense has lost six fumbles this season while Carolina has lost four.
- The Tampa Bay defense has notched 29 sacks on the year while Carolina has 25.
- Carolina has produced 5.7 yards per carry across its past three games and 6.4 over its last two.
- Tampa Bay has averaged 4.3 yards per carry over its last three outings and 4.2 over its last two.
- Over its last three matchups, Tampa Bay is 1-1-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The Over/Under for Carolina’s last game was 47. The over cashed in the team’s 30-27 defeat to Seattle.
- Over its last three matches, Carolina is 0-3 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- The O/U for Tampa Bay’s last matchup was set at 54.5. The under cashed in the 27-9 triumph over San Francisco.
