by Rod Pearson
Tuesday, Jan 02, 2024
Game Time: 1:00 pm ET, Sunday, January 7, 2024
Venue: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
Where to Watch: FOX
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Bucs -5, Panthers +5; Over/Under: 37.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Bucs -5.5, Panthers +5.5; Over/Under: 37.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Bucs -5.5, Panthers +5.5; Over/Under: 37.5 points
Season Record
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 8-8 (1st place, NFC South)
Carolina Panthers: 2-14 (4th place, NFC South)
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: lost their last game at home against the New Orleans Saints 23-13.
Carolina Panthers: lost their last game on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars 26-0.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers Preview and Analysis
The Buccaneers are entering this game with an 8-8 record overall and they have a 3-2 record in their divisional games too. They are 4-4 in their home games, 4-4 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be on the road for this game. They lost their last game against the New Orleans Saints 23-13. Baker Mayfield was the starting QB and he completed 22/33 passes for 309 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Rachaad White led the team in rushing yards with 42. Trey Palmer led the receivers with 84 receiving yards on 4 receptions and 1 TD. Lavonte David led the defense in that game with 5 solo tackles and 6 assisted tackles while Markees Watts led the defense in sacks with 1. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that game.
The Panthers are entering this game with a 2-14 record overall and they have a 1-4 record in their divisional games too. They are 2-5 in their home games, 0-9 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at home for this game. They lost their last game against the Jacksonville Jaguars 26-0. Bryce Young was the starting QB and he completed 19/32 passes for 112 passing yards, 0 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Chuba Hubbard led the team in rushing yards with 45. Adam Thielen led the receivers with 38 receiving yards on 6 receptions. Brian Burns led the defense in that game with 5 solo tackles and 3 assisted tackles while Brian Burns, Deion Jones, and Yetur Gross-Matos each led the defense in sacks with 1. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that game.
Buccaneers vs Panthers Prediction
The current betting odds have the Buccaneers listed as a 5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Buccaneers haven't looked great in their games this season with their 8-8 record overall but that record has them leading the NFC South right now with control of their own fate too. The situation for the Bucs here is simple, win this game and they win the division. Meanwhile, the Panthers have looked terrible in their games this season with their 2-14 record overall which is the worst record in the NFL this season. Both of their wins were games that they didn't score TDs in and their offense has been really weak all season with Bryce Young still trying to figure things out. The Panthers just lost to the Jags last week who have been struggling lately and even had a backup QB in that game, but the Jags still shut the Panthers out in that game. The Bucs are also coming off a loss last week at home against the Saints in what was a big game for them but now they simply need to win this game to clinch the division and there will be no holding back in this one. The Bucs are going to leave everything they have on the field here to make the playoffs and there is no way they are overlooking the Panthers in a game they need to win to make the playoffs. The Buccaneers are a lot better on both sides of the ball and they won't mess around in this game against the worst team in the NFL. The best way to place a bet here is on the Buccaneers to cover the spread in this game.
Buccaneers Panthers Prediction: Our NFL Pick for Sunday, January 7, 2024 (1:00 pm ET start time) is Buccaneers 34 Panthers 6.
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NFL Betting Trends
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 2-9 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points. 3-12 ATS off 2 or more consecutive unders. 2-8 ATS after a loss by 10 or more points. 11-3 UNDER as a road favorite. 8-2 UNDER off an upset loss as a favorite. 7-1 UNDER off a home loss.
Carolina Panthers: 16-6 ATS off a road blowout loss by 21 points or more. 19-7 ATS after scoring 6 points or less last game. 11-5 UNDER in all games. 13-4 UNDER as a home underdog. 14-5 UNDER off a road loss. 7-1 UNDER after a loss by 21 or more points.
Key Injuries
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: B. Mayfield (QB) Prob Sun - Ribs. R. Jarrett (WR) Ques Sun - Quadricep. M. Greene (DL) Ques Sun - Calf. C. Davis III (CB) Ques Sun - Concussion. K. Kieft (TE) Ques Sun - Shoulder. S. Barrett (LB) Ques Sun - Groin. R. Jensen (C) I-R - Knee. R. Gage (WR) I-R - Knee.
Carolina Panthers: E. Pineiro (K) Ques Sun - Hamstring. C. Cherelus (LB) Ques Sun - Knee. T. Hill (CB) Ques Sun - Concussion. A. Barno (LB) I-R - Knee. J. McCray (G) I-R - Calf. H. Hurst (TE) I-R - Head. L. Shenault Jr. (WR) Out indefinitely - Ankle. C. Zavala (G) Out indefinitely - Knee. D. Bootle (CB) Out indefinitely - Knee. A. Corbett (G) I-R - Knee. C. Wooten (LB) Out indefinitely - Ankle. L. Vilain (LB) Out indefinitely - Knee. G. Ricci (TE) Out indefinitely - Shoulder. S. Thompson (LB) I-R - Leg. B. Christensen (G) Out indefinitely - Bicep. H. Anderson (DE) I-R - Foot.
Notable Quotes
“It doesn't matter who we played today. Good team, bad team, a college team, high school team, we wouldn't have won.” - Todd Bowles after his team’s loss against the Saints in their last game.
“Yeah, not fun. Not fun at all. It’s on us. It’s what we put out. It’s our tape. It’s what we did. We own it, accept it. It is what it is, but it’s not fun.” - Bryce Young after their loss against the Jags in their last game.
Starting Lineups
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
WR Evans, Mike
WR Godwin, Chris
WR Palmer, Trey
TE Otton, Cade
QB Mayfield, Baker
RB White, Rachaad
Carolina Panthers
WR Chark Jr., DJ
WR Mingo, Jonathan
WR Thielen, Adam
TE Tremble, Tommy
QB Young, Bryce
RB Hubbard, Chuba
Statistical Leaders
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Passing: B. Mayfield (3907)
Rushing: R. White (915)
Receiving: M. Evans (1233)
Touchdowns: M. Evans (13)
Carolina Panthers
Passing: B. Young (2783)
Rushing: C. Hubbard (819)
Receiving: A. Thielen (1002)
Touchdowns: D. Chark Jr. (5)
Coaches:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Todd Bowles (2nd season)
Carolina Panthers: Chris Tabor (Interim)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
