Buccaneers vs. Panthers Week 7 Betting Odds, Prediction and Picks: Panthers Look to Stay on Top of NFC South
Worst meets first in the NFC South on Sunday afternoon, as the division-leading Carolina Panthers host the last-place Tampa Bay Buccaneers in NFL Week 7 betting action at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers are coming off an impressive 25-14 road victory over Philadelphia to improve to 3-2 SU on the season, while the Buccaneers have lost five of its first six games, capped by last week’s 26-19 overtime loss to Pittsburgh. The Buccaneers could welcome Baker Mayfield back after a three-game absence, but injuries to several key starters complicate their efforts to stop a Panthers offence that ranks among the NFL’s most productive.
Buccaneers vs. Panthers Kickoff, Weather, TV, Streaming Info
Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET at Bank of America Stadium. FOX carries the game in the United States, while Canadian viewers can watch through DAZN’s NFL Game Pass.
NFL Betting Odds, Point Spread, Trends
The Panthers get set to hit the gridiron as 3-point home favourites on the NFL Week 7 odds. The Bucs trail as a +125 bet on the NFL moneyline, and the total is listed at 44.5.
Spread
These NFC South rivals split last year’s season series, with the home team claiming the win in each of those late-season contests, including a 23-20 Panthers victory just before Christmas. Overall, the Buccaneers have dominated in head-to-head action, winning eight of 10 meetings including three of five in Charlotte. However, the Panthers have covered the spread in five of eight dates with the Bucs. The UNDER paid out in both of last season’s matchups, ending a 5-1 run for the OVER in NFL totals betting.
The Bucs have carried over their struggles from last season, which they closed out with just two wins in their final nine contests. Overall, Tampa Bay has gone 2-9 SU in its past 11 while covering the spread just once in its past 10. Not surprisingly, the Bucs sit near the bottom of the league stats with just 19.8 points per game, but have seen their two highest scoring performances of the campaign come on the road.
Conversely, the Panthers rank fourth in the NFL with 29.2 points per game, and have averaged 34.5 points per game in two home dates this season. Despite those big numbers, the UNDER has paid out in three of their past four.
NFL Player Odds and Props
Bryce Young has played a big role in the Panthers’ steady start, averaging a league-leading 309.8 passing yards per game while racking up 11 TD passes. Accordingly, he is worth a look on the NFL player props as a -115 bet to toss for OVER 257.5 yards.
Bucky Irving’s rushing-yardage props are also worth consideration. The Bucs running back has gained 452 yards on 96 carries this season, averaging 4.7 yards per attempt, and faces a Carolina defence allowing an NFL-worst 5.12 yards per carry. Irving has averaged 136 yards from scrimmage in his four previous meetings with the Panthers, making him a good -115 bet to compile OVER 65.5 rushing yards.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield appears likely to return after missing three games with a dislocated thumb on his throwing hand. However, Mayfield may be returning to an offence missing two important starters. Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka has been ruled out with concussion and foot injuries, while starting offensive tackle Luke Goedeke will also miss Sunday’s game because of a calf injury. The Bucs secondary will be without without safety Antoine Winfield Jr., due to a rib injury. Winfield’s absence, combined with the team’s ineffective pass rush, could create significant problems against Carolina’s improved aerial attack.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers have undergone a remarkable offensive transformation behind Bryce Young, who is enjoying the most productive stretch of his NFL career. Young has passed for 1,549 yards, 11 touchdowns and just two interceptions through five starts, which represents an enormous improvement over his first three NFL seasons. Young has benefited from a productive receiving corps led by second-year wideout Tetairoa McMillan, who has compiled 471 yards and two touchdowns. However, the Panthers face significant injury concerns along their defensive front. Linebackers Jaelan Phillips and Thomas Incoom have both been ruled out for Sunday’s contest.
TB
CAR