Sam Darnold and the Panthers will try out to preserve their playoff hopes alive on Sunday when they enjoy Tom Brady and the Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium (1 p.m. ET, FOX). Carolina has received three out of its earlier four video games and is only a single match powering the Buccaneers for first place in the NFC South. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay snapped its two-match getting rid of streak with an additional time get over the Cardinals on Xmas night time.
The last time these two divisional foes played each individual other, the Panthers defeated the Bucs 21-3 in Carolina in 7 days 7. Carolina has not performed nicely on the street this period (1-5), which may perhaps get the job done in the Buccaneers’ favor on Sunday. Having said that, Tampa Bay struggled to defeat a lowly Cardinals squad and imploded a few of months ago at home versus the Bengals. No 1 is aware what to anticipate in this matchup, but either way, it is a will have to-acquire for both equally groups.
Week 17 NFL PICKS: ATS | Straight up
Down below, we’ll give you all the info you have to have just before putting a wager on Panthers-Buccaneers, which include the up-to-date odds from Sporting activities Interaction, strategies, and our prediction for this Week 17 matchup.
Betting odds courtesy of Sports Interaction
- Spread: Buccaneers -3
- Over/Underneath: 39.5
- Moneyline: Panthers +135, Buccaneers -162
The Buccaneers are a discipline objective favored heading into Sunday’s pivotal recreation, but they have been tough to believe in in opposition to the unfold this period. Tampa Bay is a league-worst 3-11-1 ATS and -6-1 ATS at residence. Meanwhile, the whole is set at 39.5 details, which is not shocking as the Bucs have struggled to score and the first sport concerning these groups observed just 24 mixed factors.
Panthers vs. Buccaneers all-time collection
The Panthers surprisingly guide the all-time collection in opposition to the Buccaneers with a history of 25-19. Having said that, the Bucs have won four of the earlier five conferences. The past time the Panthers defeated the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay was in 7 days 8 of the 2017 period. Cam Newton and Jameis Winston were being the starting up quarterbacks in that contest.
A few trends to know
— The Buccaneers are -5-1 from the distribute when stated as a household favorite and 2-4 ATS soon after a acquire this time.
— The Panthers are 1-5 straight up on the street but 3-2 ATS as a street underdog this season, in accordance to Bryan Zarpentine of BetQL.
— Carolina has thrived as an underdog this season (8-3 ATS), publishing the fourth-very best deal with percentage in the NFL.
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A few things to watch for
Can the Panthers’ jogging activity have results from the Bucs’ protection?
The Panthers are coming off their ideal offensive effectiveness this period, submitting 37 points and 320 hurrying yards versus the Lions last week. D’Onta Foreman led the way, hurrying for a activity-high 165 yards and a landing on 21 carries, and Chuba Hubbard included 125 yards on 12 carries. For the Panthers to get on Sunday afternoon, they will need to have Foreman and Hubbard to engage in important roles all over again.
The two functioning backs could have some achievements towards a Bucs’ defense which is authorized 120.3 dashing yards per recreation this season and 127.7 hurrying yards over the previous three games. When Carolina and Tampa Bay satisfied up for the 1st time in Week 7, the Panthers had 173 dashing yards and a landing. If the Panthers can make solid gains on initial and 2nd down by functioning the ball, it will make everyday living much easier for Sam Darnold and the passing match.
Which Tom Brady will show up?
The past time we noticed Brady and the Bucs play at property, the Bengals came back again and cruised to a 34-23 get at Raymond James Stadium a few of months ago. Brady has not experienced the best period below middle but has been far better at dwelling than on the highway. This period, Brady is finishing 68 % of his passes for 2,463 yards, 14 touchdowns, and four interceptions at residence. This is a complete 180 from the Brady we see on the highway exactly where he’s completing 63.5 % of his passes for 1,715 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions.
Who ways up for the Panthers in an elimination recreation scenario?
If the Panthers want to hold their playoff hopes alive on Sunday afternoon, they will have to have another person other than the jogging backs to phase up. Moore could be the difference-maker right after scoring his third touchdown in the past four months in opposition to the Lions very last week. More than the past 4 game titles, he is posted 14 receptions (22 targets) for 259 yards and a few touchdowns. This is a fantastic indicator for the Panthers, as they will need the veteran receiver to replicate his Week 7 effectiveness towards Tampa Bay when he had seven receptions (10 targets) for 69 yards and a touchdown.
Stat that issues
42.9. This is the Panthers’ 3rd-down conversion percentage on defense. 1 of the significant keys in this game will be Carolina’s potential to implement pressure to Brady and get Tampa Bay’s offense off the discipline. Tampa has struggled on third down this season, only changing at a 37.6-per cent clip (21st in the NFL). Over the earlier 3 online games, it is even lessen (31.1 %).
Panthers vs. Buccaneers prediction
We know that the Panthers have not been very good on the road, and the Buccaneers have been underwhelming for most of this period. Having said that, experience matters the most at this time of the 12 months, which favors the Bucs. Tampa Bay will someway discover a way to get the get on Sunday, even if it can take additional time to do so. Brady will proceed his sound play at residence even though Tampa’s defense will do just more than enough to maintain Darnold and Co. at bay.
PREDICTION: Buccaneers 20, Panthers 18. The Panthers will deal with (+3), and the whole will go Less than (39.5).
