The Tampa Bay Buccaneers opened up as an 8.5 point favorite at bet365 over the Carolina Panthers in a Week 17 contest. The Over/Under total opened at 47.5. A trickle of Carolina money has shown which thinned the line to -8. The total has seen money on the OVER and has plumped up to 49.5.
We do have some history for this matchup from back in early December. The Bucs (-6.5) went down to Carolina and posted a 26-23 victory but failed to cover the spread. The Over/Under total was listed at 46.0 and went high by just a field goal.
Looking ahead, the Panthers close out the 2024 season on the road at Atlanta, while the Buccaneers stay in Florida to host the New Orleans Saints.
Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Odds Week 17
Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dec. 29, 1:00 pm ET
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina Panthers | +8 (-110) | +300 | O49.5 (-110) |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | -8 (-110) | -450 | U49.5 (-110) |
Odds as of December 24 at bet365
Panthers vs Buccaneers Pick Week 17
Panthers +8 (-110) at bet365
Another game that will have immense implications for the playoffs. At the moment, the Bucs are in a dead heat with the Falcons at 8-7 for the top spot in the NFC South. Only one team from the South will make it the party, the champ, since the Vikings (12 wins), Lions (12 wins), Packers (10 wins) and Commanders (10 wins) are fighting for the three wild cards. And if Tampa winds up in a tie with Atlanta for the NFC South crown, the Falcons will wear it since they beat the Bucs twice.
So is Tampa gonna be baking or will they be flat? Mayfield has been playing at a very high level the last couple of weeks. How high? How about hitting on 72.1% of his passes against Dallas and an enormous 81.5% against the Chargers. He also gobbled up 591 yards with six TDs and just two INTs in those games.
Looking across the field, the Panthers QB Bryce Young is starting to feel like he might just belong in the NFL. Last week against the Cardinals, Young was very impressive, hitting on 17 of 26 (65.4%) for 158 yards, with two TDs and no INTs.
One of the reasons he is getting more comfortable is RB Chuba Hubbard. Last week, the kid from Oklahoma State was fed the ball 25 times and rumbled for 152 yards. That works out to a 6.1 yards per carry average and Chuba also had two TDs. And the Bucs are 13th on the NFL charts against the run, giving up 143.7 yards per game. Hubba Hubbard for Chuba!
Interesting little tidbit in case you're not familiar. Carolina head coach Dave Canales was hired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as their offensive coordinator under head coach Todd Bowles for the 2023 season. Think he might know a little something somethin' about the Bucs attack? Oh yea. And credit Canales for bringing the Panthers back from an UGLY 1-7 start to win three of the last seven.
More importantly, for all my millions of readers, Carolina has covered six of the last seven. And anytime you're dealing with an 86% cover rate, it's worth opening the wallet. Not saying the billfold is gonna be wide open, but Carolina is on my mind, and my wallet.
Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Betting Trends
- The Panthers have covered six of the last seven games.
- The Panthers have gone OVER in nine of the last 13 games.
- The Bucs have gone OVERin nine in their last 12 games.
