It wasn’t that long ago when the Carolina Panthers (+5,000 to win the NFC) looked like locks to make the playoffs, but a recent losing skid has them on the edge. The Panthers will look to recover their form in a rematch with the re-energized Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are +50,000 to win the NFC title. The sportsbook calls this a fairly close one, giving Carolina a 3.5-point edge.
Click here to sign up and make your Week 13 picks
Already a Member? Click Here to Bet
Betting Preview for the Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL Season Week 13 Game on December 2, 2018
Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa
When: Sunday, December 2, 2018, 1:00 PM ET
Line: Carolina Panthers (-3.5) vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+3.5) – view all 2018 NFL lines
TV Broadcast: FOX
Betting on the Carolina Panthers (6-5)
The Panthers are on a tailspin, having lost again last week to the Seattle Seahawks at home, 30-27. That’s Carolina’s third loss in a row, and it will seek a respite from all the losing this weekend against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the last team the Panthers beat before nosediving. Back in Week 9, the Panthers took down Tampa Bay, 42-28, with their offense clicking through the air and on the ground. Panthers quarterback Cam Newton had 247 passing yards and a pair of touchdowns with no turnovers on 19-of-25 completions. The Bucs’ soft defense may just be what the doctor ordered for the Panthers to get their moxie back. The Bucs are still second-worst in the league with 30.7 points allowed per contest and 27th with 391.0 total yards surrendered per contest. All-purpose running back Christian McCaffrey will look to punish that weak Bucs’ stop unit, which he abused for 79 rushing yards with two touchdowns and 78 receiving yards in the first meeting.
The under is 3-1 in the Panthers’ last four games away from home.
Betting on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7)
The Bucs desperately needed a pick-me-up win, and that’s exactly what they got last week when they thumped the San Francisco 49ers at home, 27-9. It was a rare display of defensive capability for the Bucs, but they also had to thank the 49ers’ injury-riddled roster for that. In any case, that’s a nice springboard win ahead of the rematch with Carolina. Unlike in the first date with the Panthers when the Bucs had Ryan Fitzpatrick as the starting quarterback, Tampa Bay will have Jameis Winston under center this time around. Winston had it easy dissecting San Francisco’s defense, passing for 312 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions on 29-of-38 completions. His presence gives the Bucs’ offense a different identity than the one Carolina met in Week 9. Also stepping up for Tampa Bay’s offense is wide receiver Adam Humphries, who is enjoying an uptick in snaps after tight end O.J. Howard suffered a season-ending injury. Humphries had 82 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the previous meeting with Carolina.
The Bucs are 4-3 ATS in their last seven home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Carolina wins, 29-26.
Click here to sign up and make your Week 13 picks
Already a Member? Click Here to Bet
2,494 total views, 1 views today
