The Carolina Panthers have lost three games in a row. Cam Newton and company are hoping that a date with an NFC South rival they have dominated in recent years can help them get back on track. The Panthers will visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon. Carolina is just 1-4 on the road this season, with an identical 1-4 record against the spread in those games. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay is just 4-7 overall but owns a 3-2 record at Raymond James Stadium. Can the Buccaneers add to the Panthers’ struggles by earning another home win? Or will Carolina end its slide with a big win on the road?

NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis

The Panthers have been one of the worst road teams to bet on this season. Carolina has covered the spread just once in five road games, which is a big reason why it is just 5-6 against the spread overall this season. However, despite the team’s struggles on the road the Panthers are still listed as 3.5-point favorites this week.

A big part of that is the fact that Tampa Bay is 4-6-1 against the spread this season. The Buccaneers had lost four in a row before last week’s 27-9 win over the San Francisco 49ers. Tampa Bay has also been dominated by Carolina in recent years with a 2-8 record straight up and a 3-7 ATS record in its last 10 games against its NFC South rivals.

Carolina Panthers

If the Panthers are going to turn things around and contend for a playoff spot this season, they absolutely need to find a way to win on the road this Sunday. Carolina is 1-6 both straight up and against the spread in its last seven road games dating back to last season. At 6-5, the Panthers are currently occupying the final NFC Wild Card spot but only barely right now. Carolina has lost three in a row, including its last two games by an average margin of just 2.0 points to the Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks. While injuries and some questionable coaching decisions have contributed to their recent struggles, the bottom line is that the Panthers need to be better.

Running back Christian McCaffrey has been absolutely excellent so it would be a good idea for Carolina to get him the football early and often against one of the league’s worst run defences. Meanwhile, Cam Newton will need to build off a strong performance after throwing for 256 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for another 63 yards in last week’s 30-27 loss to the Seahawks. The Panthers have come out on the losing side of some close games the last two weeks. Considering their recent history with Tampa Bay, there is a good chance Carolina gets its season back on track this weekend.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers haven’t been any better than the Panthers of late. While everything went right for them in last week’s win over the 49ers, San Francisco isn’t exactly a scary opponent to have to play at home. There were some positives to build on after Jameis Winston threw for 312 yards and two touchdowns without turning over the football. Winston will have a much more difficult time moving the football on the Carolina defence this week and limiting turnovers will be important. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers have struggled to run the ball all season. That won’t be any easier this week against a tough Panthers front-seven. Tampa Bay did step up with a pair of interceptions on San Francisco quarterback Nick Mullens last week. However, Newton has torched them in recent years and will present a much more difficult matchup.

While the Buccaneers are coming off a big win, they will be in tough to hold off a desperate Carolina side this week. The Panthers absolutely need to win this game in order to remain in control of an NFC Wild Card position. While Tampa Bay might be able to keep this game close, Carolina should be able to win this game and cover the point spread on the road.

Weather

temp	81
condition	cloudy
wind	Southwest 15mph

Injuries

Carolina

Marshall Newhouse (T)

Ques Sun Hip - 27 / 12 / 18

Taylor Heinicke (QB)

I-R Elbow - 23 / 12 / 18

Chris Clark (T)

Ques Mon Knee - 13 / 12 / 18

Brendan Mahon (G)

I-R Concussion - 06 / 12 / 18

Mike Adams (S)

Ques Sun Wrist - 05 / 12 / 18

Colin Jones (S)

Ques Sun Illness - 05 / 12 / 18

Graham Gano (K)

I-R Knee - 02 / 12 / 18

Trai Turner (G)

Prob Sun Neck - 02 / 12 / 18

Devin Funchess (WR)

Ques Sun Back - 21 / 11 / 18

Shaq Thompson (LB)

Ques Sun Shoulder - 21 / 11 / 18

Tampa Bay

Devante Bond (LB)

Ques Sun Illness - 28 / 12 / 18

William Gholston (DE)

Ques Sun Back - 28 / 12 / 18

Alan Cross (TE)

I-R Shoulder - 16 / 12 / 18

Kevin Minter (LB)

I-R Calf - 09 / 12 / 18

Adarius Taylor (LB)

Ques Sun Toe - 06 / 12 / 18

Rakeem Nunez-Roches (DT)

Out Sun Knee - 01 / 12 / 18

Brent Grimes (CB)

Ques Sun Knee - 29 / 11 / 18

Isaiah Johnson (S)

Prob Sun Illness - 28 / 11 / 18

Leonard Wester (T)

Ques Sun Knee - 28 / 11 / 18

Garrison Sanborn (LS)

Ques Sun Knee - 21 / 11 / 18

Injuries

Carolina

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Marshall Newhouse (T)	Ques Sun	Hip - 27 / 12 / 18	0-1	0-1	+ -
Newhouse injured his hip in the last game and it is unclear if he will take the field on Sunday against the Saints.
Taylor Heinicke (QB)	I-R	Elbow - 23 / 12 / 18	1-1	0-2	+ -
Heinicke has been placed on the injured reserve with an Elbow injury.
Chris Clark (T)	Ques Mon	Knee - 13 / 12 / 18	1-2	0-3	+ -
Clark is dealing with a knee injury and it is unknown if he will suit up against the Saints on Monday.
Brendan Mahon (G)	I-R	Concussion - 06 / 12 / 18	1-3	0-4	+ -
Mahon has a concussion and has been placed on the injured reserve list.
Mike Adams (S)	Ques Sun	Wrist - 05 / 12 / 18	1-3	0-4	+ -
Adams is tending to a wrist injury and it has yet to be established if he will be in Sunday's lineup against the Browns.
Colin Jones (S)	Ques Sun	Illness - 05 / 12 / 18	1-3	0-4	+ -
Jones is ailing from an illness and it is uncertain if the symptoms will subside in time for Sunday's game against the Browns.
Graham Gano (K)	I-R	Knee - 02 / 12 / 18	1-4	1-4	+ -
Gano has landed on injured reserve with a left knee sprain.
Trai Turner (G)	Prob Sun	Neck - 02 / 12 / 18	1-4	1-4	+ -
Turner left the last game with a neck injury but is expected to face the Browns on Sunday.
Devin Funchess (WR)	Ques Sun	Back - 21 / 11 / 18	1-5	1-5	+ -
Funchess missed the last game with a back injury and it is unclear if he will be able to participate in Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.
Shaq Thompson (LB)	Ques Sun	Shoulder - 21 / 11 / 18	1-5	1-5	+ -
Thompson is battling an injured shoulder and it is uncertain if he will be available Sunday against the Seahawks.

Tampa Bay

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Devante Bond (LB)	Ques Sun	Illness - 28 / 12 / 18	1-0	0-1	+ -
Bond is battling an illness and it is unclear if he will play against the Falcons on Sunday.
William Gholston (DE)	Ques Sun	Back - 28 / 12 / 18	1-0	0-1	+ -
Gholston has a back injury and it is unknown if he will be available for Sunday's matchup against the Falcons.
Alan Cross (TE)	I-R	Shoulder - 16 / 12 / 18	2-1	0-3	+ -
Cross suffered a shoulder injury and is on the injured reserve list.
Kevin Minter (LB)	I-R	Calf - 09 / 12 / 18	3-1	0-4	+ -
Minter has landed on the injured reserve list due to a calf injury.
Adarius Taylor (LB)	Ques Sun	Toe - 06 / 12 / 18	3-1	0-4	+ -
Taylor has a toe injury and his status for Sunday's game against the Saints is in question.
Rakeem Nunez-Roches (DT)	Out Sun	Knee - 01 / 12 / 18	4-1	0-5	+ -
Nunez-Roches has missed the last four games with a knee injury and will not be in the lineup during Sunday's matchup against the Falcons.
Brent Grimes (CB)	Ques Sun	Knee - 29 / 11 / 18	4-1	0-5	+ -
Grimes missed the last game with an injured knee and his status to return Sunday against the Saints is clouded.
Isaiah Johnson (S)	Prob Sun	Illness - 28 / 11 / 18	4-1	0-5	+ -
Johnson is ailing from an illness but the symptoms are expected to subside in time for Sunday's clash against the Panthers.
Leonard Wester (T)	Ques Sun	Knee - 28 / 11 / 18	4-1	0-5	+ -
Wester is hobbled by a knee injury, leaving his availability for Sunday's tilt against the Panthers clouded.
Garrison Sanborn (LS)	Ques Sun	Knee - 21 / 11 / 18	4-1	1-5	+ -
Sanborn is battling a knee injury and it is uncertain if he will be available Sunday against the 49ers.

Panthers vs. Buccaneers Prediction