| Carolina Panthers (8-8) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) | |||
| Game Details: Saturday, January 3, 4:30 PM. EST | |||
| Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL | |||
| Where to Watch: ABC/ESPN |
Week 18 Matchup
With the last week of the NFL season here, the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will face each other off for their playoff lives. The NFC South will be on the line this Saturday, and bettors could win big in this crucial NFC South match-up. With the division on the line, the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Bucs could be a classic for fans and bettors in Saturday’s crucial NFC South match.
Betting Odds
| Team | Spread | Money Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina Panthers | +3 | +126 | Over 43.5 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | -3 | -148 | Under 43.5 |
** Odds Subject to Change – Courtesy of FanDuel**
Tale of The Tape
| Carolina Panthers | Team Stats – Avg Per Game | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
|---|---|---|
| 18.6 | Points Per Game | 22.8 |
| 173.9 | Passing Yards Per Game | 206.4 |
| 122.4 | Rushing Yards Per Game | 112.9 |
| 22.8 | Opponents Points Per Game Allowed | 24.8 |
| 204.3 | Opponents Pass Yards Allowed | 236.4 |
| 122.3 | Opponents Rush Yards Allowed | 104.1 |
Statistics from various online sources, courtesy of ESPN and FOX Sports
Key Details
Carolina Panthers
After a slow start to the season, the Carolina Panthers are inching closer to being divisional champions. The Panthers are a confusing team to fans and analysts due to their inconsistent offense, but have a stout defense with Derrick Brown having a solid season. There is also Bryce Young, having a solid season, despite his flaws and limitations. The Panthers offense is in the mid-tier with their weak passing offense, but have a solid running game with Rico Dowdle and Chubba Hubbard. There is also the defense being a stout unit this season, earning wins against the Rams and Packers. This Panthers team could win a close one against the Bucs and has beaten them in week 16.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
While the Carolina Panthers are on a rise, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are on a tailspin that could crash down on Saturday. Tampa has suffered two brutal losses, with the Falcons being the worst due to their defensive collapse, and could have another crushing one soon. The Bucs offense has been inconsistent after their strong start, with Baker Mayfield having poor games in the last two weeks.
Bettors could also take into account the injuries to the Bucs offense with Mike Evans and Emeka Egbuka missing time, and Chris Godwin still recovering from his injuries, but all three have been on the field as of late. There is also the Bucs defense, which has regressed and could have a poor game tonight. Bettors should be worried about trusting the Bucs on Saturday due to the entire team collapsing.
Prediction
With both teams being desperate to win the NFC South, the Carolina Panthers are an easy pick for the upset and the cover for bettors on Saturday. Tampa Bay’s defense is falling apart, along with its offense, and could easily lose this game against its rivals on Saturday. The Panthers‘ offense, while not perfect, could take down the Bucs, just as they did two weeks ago, and could have another strong game. Bettors could also take the over due to this game being highly intense and could end with a potential field goal or touchdown.
