Panthers on Cruise Control Against Losing Teams
The Panthers and Buccaneers square off in divisional action on Monday Night Football this week as the Bucs travel to Carolina with both teams looking to climb out of the 1-3 holes they’ve dug for themselves.
Carolina has not looked anything like the team that went 15-1 just a season ago, as its only win so far came against the woeful 49ers and with Cam Newton inactive due to a concussion, the Panthers are in serious danger of starting their season 1-4. To be fair, the Cats have had one of the toughest schedules in the NFL through four weeks as their four opponents have combined to go 12-4. From here on, the Panthers will play just four games against teams that currently have winning records, so they aren’t dead in the water quite yet.
So, how much trouble is Carolina in without Cam? Maybe not much. The Panthers have gone 2-0 in the only two games Newton has not started since he was drafted back in 2011.
There was a ton of hype around the Buccaneers to kick off the season but that has quickly subsided with the holes in the Tampa roster exposed as they’ve allowed 104 points in their last three games combined. The Bucs were thumped 38-10 by the Panthers in their last meeting in Week 17 last year and have allowed teams to score on them at will so far this season. Only the Saints have allowed more points.
If trends continue, this game could easily turn into a shootout and go OVER. The total has gone OVER in six of Carolina’s last eight games and in five of the Bucs’ last seven.
Computer Pick
Week 5 action on Monday will see the Carolina Panthers looking to boost their win total and cover the spread when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers visit Bank of America Stadium.
Handicapping models based on recent betting stats and prediction formulas pick a 27-16 win for the Panthers. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NFL matchups here.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
Betting fans of the Carolina Panthers have seen them go 1-3 and 1-3 ATS so far this season, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are at 1-3 and 1-3 ATS. In over under totals betting, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 2-2, while the Carolina Panthers are 3-1. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Carolina vs Tampa Bay injuries news.
The Power Rankings at Odds Shark have the No. 32-rated Tampa Bay Buccaneers taking on the No. 5-rated Carolina Panthers in this betting contest.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Carolina's No. 6-ranked offense, averaging 27.25 PPG, against a Buccaneers defense that ranks No. 31 this week at 32 PPG. The Panthers aerial game is averaging 264.75 yards per game, more than the Buccaneers secondary allows through the air, 259.5 YPG per game.
In comparing defenses, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers own the league's No. 5-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 76.5 yards per game when on the road. Carolina, on the other hand, rates No. 7 this week in generating rushing yards at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Tampa Bay didn't make much of a game of it last time out, losing to the Broncos as Denver blasted them 27-7 in Week 4 action.
Last time out, Carolina got 2 scoring strikes from Derek Anderson in a 48-33 loss against Atlanta.
Next Betting Matchups
Tampa Bay at San Francisco, Sunday, October 23rd
Carolina at New Orleans, Sunday, October 16th