The Carolina Panthers (6-9) head south to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8) in a matchup with huge implications for the NFC South race. If the Panthers win out, they would take the division title and host a wild card round playoff game. The Buccaneers keep finding ways to win games late, but they lost at Carolina on October 23, 21-3, despite entering as 13-point road favorites. Sam Darnold has found his passing touch leading the Panthers’ offense, and D’Onta Foreman has taken control on the ground. In Tampa, Tom Brady has looked old and lost at times, but he has led multiple fourth-quarter comebacks to keep the Bucs in the playoff race. Don’t miss our NFL betting preview of this key divisional showdown.
NFL Preview: Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Sunday, January 1)
When: Sunday, January 1, 2022, 1:00 pm ET
Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
TV: FOX
Radio: WRFX 99.7 FM Charlotte / WXTB 97.7 FM Tampa
Live Stream: Sling TV
NFL Odds: Tampa Bay -3.5 / O/U 40.5 // Tampa Bay -195 / Carolina +162
Why should you bet on the Panthers?
The Panthers have turned a 1-4 start into a 6-9 record, going .500 since the team showed former head coach Matt Rhule the gate. Interim head coach Steve Wilks has guided the team to three wins in their last four games, each with Darnold running the offense. Last week, the Panthers rolled over Detroit, 37-23, at home. Foreman rumbled for 165 yards, and Chuba Hubbard chipped in 125 more on the ground, as the team ran for 320 yards on just 43 carries. Darnold was 15 of 22 for 250 yards and a score; his touchdown pass went to D.J. Moore, who had five receptions on the day for 83 yards.
The Panthers come in with a lot more momentum than the Buccaneers, who have dropped eight of 13 and have covered just 3 times against the spread, the worst record in the league. The offensive line has struggled to open holes for the Tampa Bay running game and to protect Brady, as such starters as Tristan Wirfs are on the shelf. If you like Carolina, you see them moving the ball against a tough Tampa Bay run defense and pressuring Brady enough to keep him from settling in and leading drives.
Why should you put your money on the Buccaneers?
Despite all of the setbacks that the Bucs have faced this season, a win on Sunday at home clinches the division for them and sends them to the playoffs to host a game. At this writing, their likely opponent would be the Dallas Cowboys, who have a reputation for dropping games early in the playoffs, which means the Bucs could set up an extended run. Last week, the Buccaneers trailed Arizona by 10 (even though the Cardinals were rolling with their third-string quarterback) but fought back to force overtime and win, 19-16.
Brady went 32 of 48 for 281 yards, one touchdown and a pick in the win. Leonard Fournette ran the ball 20 times for 72 yards and had nine catches for 90 more yards. If you like the Buccaneers, you see Brady coming in with more than his usual focus, and you see the O-line putting forth more effort this time around.
Final Score and Prediction
Carolina is second in the NFL in rushing yards per game over the last three weeks (188). Over that same stretch, the Bucs’ run defense is 17th in yards permitted. Carolina has covered in four straight NFC South contests, while the Bucs have covered just once in their last nine home games. I predict a final score of Carolina 23, Tampa Bay 20.
NFL Betting Odds
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