The 3-2 Carolina Panthers open against the 1-5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers as favorites for only the second time this season and the first time since their road loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 3. Weighing tough wins over the Lions and the Eagles, a home game for Carolina, and the Bucs own disastrous season makes the Panthers an obvious choice for this game.
Week 7
Spread
Panthers: -3 (-118)
Buccaneers: +3 (-104)
O/U
44.5 (-110/-110)
Moneyline
Panthers: -168
Buccaneers: +142
Remember that home-field advantage is traditionally accounted
for by spotting the home team—the Panthers, in this case—three points on the spread. That predicts a tie in this game were it to be played on a neutral field.
I think this is still mildly disrespectful against Bryce Young and the Panthers offense. They are maintaining their position as, statistically, one of the best offenses in the league that is helmed by one of the most productive quarterbacks in the league. The Bucs, on the other hand, had their biggest loss of the season to the Aaron Rodgers-led Pittsburgh Steelers yesterday behind rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels.
Questions abound as to who will start at quarterback for the Bucs against the Panthers—Daniels or Baker Mayfield. Either way, the Panthers young secondary will likely show some more growing pains. The question is whether or not those growing pains can outpace Young and company’s offensive efforts.
Answer that and you have your own, personal game prediction.
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