Buccaneers vs. Panthers Point Spread: NFL Week 16 Odds, Prediction
After both teams lost a week ago, first place in the division is on the line this week in what will be the first of two meetings between these teams over the final three weeks of the season. There is likely no other way for either team to qualify for the playoffs in the NFC, so this week’s game takes on even more importance.
Which team will come out on top at Bank of America Stadium? Let’s get into our Buccaneers vs Panthers predictions for Week 16.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Buccaneers have been fading fast in recent weeks, but Tampa Bay is still listed as the favourite in this game. The Buccaneers are three-point favourites, with Carolina checking in at +130 on the money line at home. It’s also not a surprise that this total is in the mid-40s, even though the Panthers offence just struggled on the road against the Saints. Neither defence has been anything to write home about of late, and there could certainly be points in this game.
On the NFL odds, the Panthers are 8-6 against the spread this season, while the visiting Buccaneers are just 5-9 ATS. Games involving both teams tend to go over the total, with the Over cashing in 15 of their 28 combined games played to this point.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay appeared to be one of the better teams in the NFC on paper through the first six weeks of the season. However, Baker Mayfield and company were clearly overachieving and got pretty fortunate to win a couple of games early on in the season. The Buccaneers were living on borrowed time, and once they stopped being the benefactor of turnovers and other unforced miscues from their opponents, the pendulum swung in the other direction.
It doesn’t help matters that the Tampa Bay offence has been on the decline over the last two months, and the Buccaneers’ injury situation continues to be troublesome. Mayfield has been struggling for the better part of six weeks now, but he should have a much easier time this week against a poor Carolina defence that ranks 26th in EPA per play and doesn’t generate much pressure on opposing quarterbacks. As long as the Buccaneers offensive line can hold up and Mayfield can avoid costly turnovers, they should be able to put up some points in this one.
Carolina Panthers
Credit where it’s due, the Panthers have been a surprisingly solid team over the last two months, racking up six wins to just four losses and knocking off the likes of the Packers, Rams, Cowboys, and Dolphins to climb back to .500 on the year. Bryce Young and the offence have not done anything special, as the Panthers are a middling unit in terms of EPA per play and success rate.
However, Carolina has shown a consistent ability to run the ball and make big plays on third down in some of its wins recently. With that in mind, this is a group that should see more success against the Buccaneers’ struggling defence on Sunday.
NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Buccaneers vs. Panthers?
This line feels right given the recent form of both teams. Neither team is in a position to give their respective fanbase much confidence, but I’ll ultimately side with the hosts to keep this one within a field goal.
Let’s look for the Panthers to spring the small upset in the region of 24-23.
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