The Carolina Panthers (-2.5) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers will go head-to-head on the grass at . Kickoff for this NFC South game is pegged for 9:30 a.m. ET and NFL Network is scheduled to televise the action.
Betting Preview: Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay is a live dog here and is currently getting 2.5 points. The Panthers are also receiving -140 moneyline odds while the Buccaneers are +120. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 48.5 points. If the favorites fall behind early, it would likely create a nice in-game betting scenario.
After the game’s total was set originally at 46.5, the over has received the bulk of the early sharp action.
The Panthers are 3-2 against the spread (ATS) and have gained 0.3 units so far. The team has posted an O/U record of 3-2.
The Buccaneers have gained 1.1 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 2-3 ATS and also own an O/U record of 3-2.
The Panthers are 3-2 straight up (SU), including 0-1 SU against NFC South opponents. The Buccaneers are 2-3 SU overall and 1-1 SU versus divisional foes.
The Panthers are coming off a 34-27 win over Jacksonville in Week 5. Kyle Allen completed only 17-of-30 passes for 181 yards and one touchdown. Christian McCaffrey (176 rushing yards on 19 attempts, two TDs) and Reggie Bonnafon (80 yards on five carries, one TD) led the ground attack while McCaffrey (six receptions, 61 yards, one TD) and DJ Moore (six catches, 91 yards) shared the receiving duties in the win.
In Week 5, New Orleans knocked off this Tampa Bay team by a score of 31-24. The Bucs defensive unit allowed the Saints to pass for 345 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 112 yards. Michael Thomas was on a different level for New Orleans, putting up 182 yards and two touchdowns on 11 catches. For Tampa Bay, Jameis Winston completed 15-of-27 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns. Ronald Jones II (35 rushing yards on nine attempts) mounted the running game while Chris Godwin (seven receptions, 125 yards, two TDs) and Dare Ogunbowale (two catches, 27 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the loss.
Carolina’s run the ball on 41.6 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Tampa Bay has a rush percentage of 45.9 percent. The Panthers have rushed for 143.6 yards per game (including 39 per game against South opponents) and have eight touchdowns on the ground this year. The Bucs are logging 109.4 rush yards per game (97 in conference) and have four total rushing TDs.
It seems like the Panthers might have the more disruptive lines up front. Their offensive line has yielded only 32 sacks while the D-line registered 35 sacks. The Buccaneers, on the other hand, have given up 41 sacks and their defense has sacked opposing QBs just 38 times.
The Panthers offense has tallied 249.2 yards per game in the air overall (333 per game versus conference opposition) and has five passing scores so far. The Bucs have produced 274.2 pass yards per outing (206 in the NFC) and have 11 total pass TDs.
Defensively, Carolina appears to have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has let opponents run for an average of 134.4 yards and pass for 220.2 yards per game. The Tampa Bay D has allowed 339.4 yards per game to opposing passers and 69.8 yards per game on the ground. The Panthers are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 4.51 to opponents, while the Bucs have allowed a 6.87 ANY/A.
Winston has completed 74-of-125 passes for 986 yards, seven TDs and four INTs. Winston’s adjusted net yards per pass attempt sits at 5.93 for the season and 8.01 over his last two games. In the other huddle, Allen has put up 442 passing yards this season, and has completed 36-of-56 attempts with five passing touchdowns and has yet to throw an interception. Allen has an 8.20 ANY/A for the year, though that number sits at 5.47 over the last two games.
Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Free NFL Tip
SU Winner: Panthers, ATS Winner: Panthers, O/U: Over
Team Betting Trends
- The Carolina defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 20 times this season. Tampa Bay has produced just 11 sacks.
- Tampa Bay has lost one fumble this season while Carolina has lost seven.
- The Panthers offense has created four pass plays of 40+ yards, while the Buccaneers have put up five such plays.
- The Carolina defense has allowed one pass play of 40 yards or more, while Tampa Bay has given up five such plays.
- The Carolina offense has created four rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Tampa Bay has created two such runs.
- The Panthers defense has allowed six rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while the Buccaneers have given up zero such runs.
- The O/U for Tampa Bay’s previous matchup going into it was 46.5. The over cashed in that 31-24 defeat to New Orleans.
- In its last three matchups, Tampa Bay is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
- Over its last three games, Carolina is 3-0 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- The O/U for Carolina’s previous game was set at 41. The over cashed in the team’s 34-27 victory over Jacksonville.
- Carolina has averaged 6.4 yards per carry across its last three games and 6.9 over its last two.
- Tampa Bay has averaged 3.9 yards per carry over its last three outings and 3.5 over its past two.
