The chaos continues in Carolina, as the Panthers negotiate Steve Wilks’ interim period leading the team. The first week was not impressive, as wide receiver Robbie Anderson started a shouting match with his position coach, and then interim head coach Steve Wilks sent him to the locker room. Anderson then quickly went to Arizona via trade, but the rebuild is apparently just beginning, as Carolina dealt star tailback Christian McCaffrey to San Francisco for four draft picks in 2023 and 2024 on Wednesday. With quarterback Baker Mayfield still dealing with a high ankle sprain, P.J. Walker is slated to start, but Sam Darnold has also been designated to return. In any event, don’t expect much from the Carolina offense on Sunday, as they welcome a Tampa Bay team that has plenty of frustrations to work through. Check out our online betting preview for this NFC South divisional showdown.
NFL Preview: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers
(Sunday, October 23)
When: Sunday, October 23, 2022, 1:00 pm ET
Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
TV: FOX
Radio: WXTB 97.9 FM Tampa / WRFX 99.7 FM Charlotte
Live Stream: Sling TV
NFL Odds: Tampa Bay -11 / O/U 40 // Tampa Bay -550 / Carolina +400
Why should you bet on the Buccaneers?
Tom Brady’s performance has declined in 2022, and whether that has to do with his age, his personal situation, or on-the-field factors, the team needs to be able to put up points. The images of Brady berating his offensive line (which has undergone multiple injuries) during the team’s loss in Pittsburgh this week showed how frustration is taking a toll. Ryan Jensen is done for the season, and that’s just the most glaring injury on the O-line. The running game behind Leonard Fournette has also dropped in productivity this season, but it’s hard to pound the ball
On defense, safety Logan Ryan (foot) will not play on Sunday, but the defense overall has been solid, ranking fifth in scoring defense and seventh in total defense. Linebackers Lavonte David (47 tackles, 1 sack) and Devin White (48 tackles, 3 sacks) are the keystone of the defense, and the pass rush is one of the best in the NFC. Given the number of injuries (and traded players) that the Panthers have, the Bucs’ defense should have a fairly easy day.
Why should you put your money on the Panthers?
The Panthers have dropped three in a row, and things don’t look promising for an end to that skid this week. With McCaffrey gone, the team has lost their biggest star on either side of the ball, which will drop morale up and down the roster. Now, the Panthers look like they are headed toward potential tank mode, so they can get the top pick in next year’s draft. Given the fact that Carolina has not beaten Tampa Bay since 2019, it would be hard to pick them this week.
Even with McCaffrey in the lineup, Carolina was 26th in rushing yards per game, and the offense was also 29th in passing yards per game. With Robbie Anderson gone, the pass attack will be hampered – remember that the team traded their other elite wideout, A.J. Brown, in the off-season. D.J. Moore will be the #1 receiver now, and Donta Foreman and Chubba Hubbard will get the bulk of the carries, but it could be a grim day.
Final Score and Prediction
I see this game as an opportunity for the Buccaneers to work out a lot of the frustrations that have built up during recent losses. The Carolina offense won’t spend much time on the field, so the Tampa Bay offense should be able to wear down the Panther defense and drive the rhythm of the game. I predict a final score of Tampa Bay 34, Carolina 10.
NFL Betting Odds
Love betting NFL football? | Xbet Sportsbook offers up to date NFL lines
