The Tampa Bay Buccaneers travel to the Bank of America Stadium to take on the Carolina Panthers on September 12, 2019.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 2019 season is off to a disappointing start. Quarterback Jameis Winston succumbed to the pressure and got intercepted thrice. Considering they were facing a San Francisco team that only had two picks last season, it was indeed a poor effort from the Tamp Bay offense. Despite that, the Bucs were able to move the ball around but they were hounded by several penalties.
If there was any positive during that loss, it was that the Tampa Bay defense looked more improved under Todd Bowles. Their shift to an aggressive and attacking defense looks like its paying off early as they put the 49ers on their heels many times. Vernon Hargreaves picked off Jimmy G in the second quarter and Carlton Davis recovered a fumble. They make a quick turnaround and play as NFL betting favorites against the Panthers on Thursday.
The Carolina Panthers look to bounce back from their 27-30 opening week loss to the Los Angeles Rams last Saturday. Cam Newton went 25-38 for 239 yards and had no touchdowns in the game. He had one interception and it was costly because it happened in the 4th quarter which basically sealed their loss in the close game. If the Panthers want to win here, Newton must shrug off the rust and bring his game back.
But while Newton didn’t look great, running back Christian McCaffrey was a silver lining .McCaffrey made one big catch and was efficient on the ground all night long. He finished with a total of 209 yards from scrimmage with two touchdowns scored. If McCaffrey continues with his fast start and Cam Newton gets his game going against Tampa Bay, the Panthers have a good shot here.
Who Wins?
Tampa Bay is 0-5 SU in their last five games played. The Bucs are 0-7 SU in their last seven games played on the road. On the other hand, Carolina is 1-8 SU in their last nine games played and the Panthers are just 1-4 SU in their last five home games played. Head to head, Carolina is 5-1 SU in their last six home games against Tampa Bay.
Teams playing on the road went 4-13 last season and Mike Evans who went 2-5 with just 29 receiving yards against the 49ers was held to a season-low 16 receiving yards by James Bradberry and the Panthers in week 9 last season. Carolina is 7-3 SU in their last 10 games against Tampa Bay. The Bucs have struggled on the road and although both teams lost last week, the Panthers looked better. Prediction: Carolina Panthers
Other Bets To Make
Tampa Bay is 6-13 SU in their last 19 games played in September. Meanwhile, Carolina is 2-5 ATS in their last seven games against teams from the NFC Conference and 1-6 ATS in their last seven games when playing as the NFL betting favorite. Head to head, the Panthers are 6-4 ATS in their last 10 meetings.
Buccaneers
+6.5 -110
Panthers
-6.5 -110
Odds were taken from Betonline.ag as of 9/09/19
Carolina has outscored Tampa Bay by an average of 7.0 points per game in their last 10 meetings. I expect a big bounce back game from Cam Newton here and if Christian McCaffrey continues to sizzle, I think that the Panters are going to win this game by at least one touchdown. Prediction: Carolina -6.5
The total has gone under in six out of Tampa Bay’s last seven games played. The under is 5-1 in the Bucs’ last six games against the NFC Conference but over in five out of their last seven games against the NFC South. The total has gone under in four out of the last six games played by the Panthers. The under is also 5-1 in their last six head to head meetings with Tampa Bay.
Buccaneers
O 52.5 -110
Panthers
U52.5 -110
Odds were taken from Betonline.ag as of 9/09/19
These teams have combined to score 41.4 points per game in their last 10 meetings and 50.67 points per game in their last three encounters. I’m confident in Carolina’s offense putting up the points but after throwing three interceptions against the 49ers, I don’t like Jameis Winston’s start and I’m not sure if he can turn it around in just a short period of time. Prediction: Under 52.5