Buccaneers vs. Panthers Point Spread: NFL Week 7 Odds, Prediction
The Panthers reached a new low last weekend while falling 24-10 to the Los Angeles Rams. Things haven’t gone much better for the Buccaneers, who limp into Carolina after dropping a 20-18 decision in Pittsburgh that marks their third defeat in four outings.
The Buccaneers’ recent listless play has not dampened their position on the NFL Week 7 odds, where they have rocketed to 11-point favourites since opening at -9.5 despite receiving support from just 53% of sports bettors. The total has been on the decline since opening at 41.5, dipping to 40.5, with the OVER attracting 90% of the betting action.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Sunday afternoon’s matchup at Bank of America Stadium the first meeting of the season between these NFC South rivals. The Buccaneers have swept the season series with Carolina in each of the past two years, with their four recent wins coming by an average margin of 21.8 points. Overall, the Panthers have lost five of six to Tampa Bay, and have been limited to 17 or fewer points on five occasions over that stretch. With the Bucs regularly running up the score, the OVER has gone 4-1-0 over the past five head-to-head meetings. In addition, the Buccaneers have paid out while pegged as double-digit chalk in each of their two dates with Carolina last season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The second highest scoring team in the NFL last season, the Buccaneers have yet to discover that offensive grove so far in the current campaign. Of course, injuries have been a major concern in Tampa Bay, with a number of the team’s biggest offensive threats missing time including Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Julio Jones, and Breshad Perriman. While the Tampa Bay receiving corps has steadily returned to health, it has not immediately translated into big offensive numbers.
Indeed, the Bucs endured another slow start in Pittsburgh, allowing the Steelers to score force and failing to reach the end zone in the first quarter for the sixth time in as many outings. Tampa Bay squandered the opportunities it did have, settling for field goals on their first three drives into the Pittsburgh red zone, and going three-and-out on two crucial second-half possessions before final scoring on a fourth-quarter drive that proved too little too late.
Complicating matters further is a brewing off-field controversy sparked by Tom Brady’s decision to travel to Pittsburgh separately last weekend so he could attend a party in New York on the way.
Carolina Panthers
Considering just how bad things have gotten for the Panthers, a visit to Carolina may be just the cure for what ails the faltering Buccaneers. The Panthers managed to reach a new low last weekend in what is quickly becoming a lost season. With both Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold sidelined by injury, newly hired Panthers head coach Steve Wilks opted to give the start to third-stringer PJ Walker. But after Walker was forced to leave the game in the second half with a neck injury, the Panthers suddenly found their offense in the hands of Jacob Eason, whom they were forced to call up from their practice roster for the contest.
Needless to say, things went as expected, with Carolina generating just 203 total yards, and failing to produce a scoring pass for a second straight week. Indeed, it is the Panthers defense that has been producing points, tallying two of the team’s four touchdowns over the past three games, and three total scores on the season.
With Mayfield not dressing for practice on Wednesday, it is looking increasingly likely that PJ Walker will get a second straight start. However, this time, Walker could enjoy the benefit of having Laviska Shenault Jr. in the lineup after the talented receiver missed last week’s game with a hamstring injury. But that is unlikely to be enough to save this team from a fourth straight loss by a double-digit margin.
TB
CAR