The Carolina Panthers are the defending NFC champions but they won’t be returning to the playoffs. They have had a tumultuous season and have looked nothing like the team that finished last year’s regular season 15-1. They’ll either finish 6-10 or 7-9 depending on how they perform on Sunday but given what we’ve seen from them of late, it’s hard to expect a win. They’ve lost three of their last five games and quarterback Cam Newton – last year’s league MVP – has been very shaky.
As for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they were one of the NFL’s Cinderellas for a period of time but they’ve now lost back-to-back games. Prior to those losses, they controlled their own playoff destiny. Now they’ll need a win and a bunch of unlikely scenarios to play out just for them to make the playoffs. Even so, they’re a young team on the rise and should be fired up for this contest.
Moneyline: Bucs -190
Handicap/Spread Odds: Bucs -3.5
Total O/U: 46
Last 5 Meetings: (Road/Home – Spread/Total)
| 10/10/2016 | TB 17 – CAR 14 | TB 6 | U 46.5 | |
| 1/3/2016 | TB 10 – CAR 38 | CAR -10 | O 44 | |
| 10/4/2015 | CAR 37 – TB 23 | CAR -3 | O 40 | |
| 12/14/2014 | TB 17 – CAR 19 | TB 3.5 | U 41 | |
| 9/7/2014 | CAR 20 – TB 14 | CAR 5.5 | U 38.5 |
On The Panthers Side of the Ball (6-9 Record, 5-9-1 ATS)
The Panthers have had a hard fall from grace and as per usual, quarterback Cam Newton has taken most of the scrutiny. He’s often one of the most criticized players in the NFL but much of it has been deserved this season – especially of late. He’s been horrific for much of the season and he’s now completed less than 50% of his passes in five of his last six games. Even in the game that he did hit that mark, he only made it to 56.8%. This team is built around him and if he’s going to be that inaccurate, it means that they won’t be able to extend drives, score points and keep their defense off the field.
Speaking of that defense, they’ll be hoping to make amends for last week’s effort when the Atlanta Falcons cut through them like a knife through warm butter. Atlanta racked up 33 points and 408 yards of offense. They hit tons of big plays as four separate receivers caught passes of 20 yards or longer and they also gave up a 55-yard rushing play. The Falcons averaged 6.3 yards per carry. They won’t win on the road this week unless that changes.
Last 5 Results:
| 12/24/2016 | ATL | L 16-33 | L 3 | P 49 |
| 12/19/2016 | @WAS | W 26-15 | W 7 | U 50.5 |
| 12/11/2016 | SD | W 28-16 | W -1 | U 48.5 |
| 12/4/2016 | @SEA | L 7-40 | L 8 | O 43.5 |
| 11/27/2016 | @OAK | L 32-35 | W 3.5 | O 48.5 |
On The Buccaneers Side of the Ball (8-7 Record, 9-6 ATS)
The Bucs could have a very fragile mindset coming into this contest as they’ve blown their playoff chances. Yes, there is a small scenario where they can make it in (Green Bay would have to lose and Washington would have to tie) but that’s highly unlikely. The Bucs are playing for pride and a winning record.
They’ve been close in back-to-back losses to the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints – both on the road – but this could be a letdown spot after they really exerted themselves in those contests. If they’re focused, they should be able to feed the football to Jacquizz Rodgers on the ground and Jameis Winston should have plenty of success through the air. Rodgers ran for 101 yards in the first meeting between the teams but Carolina was better then and that game was on the road. Rodgers and Tampa Bay have played even better since that point.
It’s really just a matter of focus. The Panthers will be waiting for the season to end but if the Bucs want this, it’s theirs for the taking.
Last 5 Results:
| 12/24/2016 | @NO | L 24-31 | L 3 | O 53 |
| 12/18/2016 | @DAL | L 20-26 | W 7 | U 47.5 |
| 12/11/2016 | NO | W 16-11 | W -2 | U 52 |
| 12/4/2016 | @SD | W 28-21 | W 3.5 | P 49 |
| 11/27/2016 | SEA | W 14-5 | W 5 | U 46 |
Quick Analysis
The Bucs have been one of the better teams against the spread this season as they’ve covered nine times. They failed to cover last week but that was the first time in seven weeks that they couldn’t pull it off. Carolina has been tough to trust all year and they’ve covered just three times in their last eight games.
Prediction
The Bucs have had a tough stretch over their last couple of games but they’ll be up for this one. The playoffs are basically out of reach for them but they’ll play for pride. This is a young team that is on the rise and a winning record is important to them. They might be a bit fragile after blowing their playoff chances but a reliable ground game with Rodgers, who has been the team’s best running back this season, will steady the ship. And the fact that the Panthers have mentally checked out will help too.
Pick: Buccaneers -3.5
Note: The betting odds are subject to change throughout the week leading up to kick-off, so please be aware of the possibility of line movements.
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