Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Picks and Prediction for Saturday, January 3rd, 2025
Use Code WWWC The Carolina Panthers (8-8, 9-7 ATS, 7-9 O/U) take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9, 5-11 ATS, 8-8 O/U) in a divisional clash on Sunday afternoon, and we have you covered with the prediction. The Panthers were charged with a home loss by the Seahawks last week. The Buccaneers dropped a road meeting against the Dolphins. The Panthers recorded a 23-20 home win against the Buccaneers last month.
Can the Panthers secure the division with a win on Saturday? Check out the Panthers vs. Buccaneers prediction. Do you need a boost in your handicapping? Try our NFL Betting Picks!
Panthers Attempt to Secure Division
The Carolina Panthers can secure the division in this one. Carolina needs to either beat the Buccaneers or, if the Falcons lose their last game, the Panthers can secure the division title even if they drop this game. The Panthers have lost three of their past five games. This includes a narrow defeat against the Saints and a 23-20 win against the Buccaneers two weeks ago. Next, the Panthers were charged with a 27-10 home loss by the Seahawks last week in a clash that had the Panthers marked as 6.5-point dogs. The Panthers have covered the spread in two of their past five games.
Bryce Young does not post big numbers but is accurate. The 24-year-old QB has amassed 206 or fewer passing yards in five straight games. Young has recorded 2745 passing yards and a 21:10 TD to INT ratio on the season. The offense will run more than pass. Rico Dowdle has surpassed 100 yards in three games this season. The 27-year-old running back has netted 1066 yards. Chubba Hubbard can be a threat. The veteran has managed 501 yards.
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The receiving core is subpar. Tetairoa McMillan has been the primary threat. The 22-year-old rookie WR has posted at least 50 yards in eight games. McMillan has 929 receiving yards on the year. The Carolina offense was kept to just 139 total yards against the Seahawks last week. They are averaging 296 yards per game.
The Panthers' defense is their top strength. The group has conceded 20 or fewer points in three of its past five games. They conceded 288 total yards against Seattle. This brings their season average to 326 yards per game. CB Mike Jackson has been outstanding, deflecting 19 passes. The pass defense is 13th, while the rush defense stands at 19th.
Carolina is averaging 18.6 points on the season, ranking them 27th. The Panthers are conceding an average of 22.8 points, placing them 16th in the NFL.
Buccaneers Down But Not Out
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers can erase their disastrous December this week. Tampa Bay needs to win this game and also hope the Falcons drop their last game, which is on Sunday, to win the division. Tampa Bay has been among the worst teams in the NFL in the second half. They have dropped seven of their past eight games. Their last win was in November against the Cardinals. The Buccaneers lost by one point against the Falcons last month and sustained a 20-17 loss to the Dolphins last week. Tampa Bay was a 5.5-point dog in that one. The Buccaneers have not covered the spread in eight straight games.
Baker Mayfield is having a solid year. The 30-year-old QB has surpassed 250 passing yards on six occasions this season. Mayfield has posted 3490 passing yards and a 25:10 TD to INT ratio. Tampa Bay has a weak running game. Rachaad White has logged 53 or fewer yards in all but two games. The 26-year-old has 549 rushing yards on the season. Bucky Irving has 503 yards. The receiving core has dealt with key injuries, but is healthy now. Mike Evans has been quiet. He managed just 31 yards in the defeat last week. The 32-year-old star WR has reported 334 receiving yards. Emeka Egbuka leads the squad with 930 yards. The Tampa Bay offense reported 380 yards last week. This improves its season average to 319 yards per game.
The Buccaneers' defense is strong on paper, but has been inconsistent. They have conceded 23 or fewer points in three of their past five games. They gave up 298 yards last week and are keeping opponents to 340 yards per game. Tykee Smith has been outstanding at safety, making 99 tackles and breaking up 13 passes. The pass defense is shaky, standing 26th, while the rush defense is marked sixth.
Tampa Bay is scoring an average of 22.8 points on the year, rating them 19th. The Buccaneers are conceding an average of 24.8 points, placing them 23rd in the NFL.
Panthers vs. Buccaneers Pick
Spread Pick for Panthers vs. Buccaneers
- Carolina Panthers +2.5 (5 units)
The Carolina Panthers are a confident young group. They just played the Buccaneers a few weeks ago and came away with a win. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been a disaster and lack confidence. They have dropped seven of their past eight games, including two straight home games. If the Panthers win, they secure the division. If the Buccaneers win, they still need the Falcons to lose in order to win the division.
Furthermore, Tampa Bay QB Baker Mayfield is playing through a knee and shoulder injury, which does not help matters. The Tampa Bay offense has been kept in check. They have only managed 20 and 17 points in their past two games. The Tampa Bay offense will pass more than run. This is great news for the Panthers, who have a strong pass defense. The Panthers are keeping opponents to an average of only 204 passing yards per game.
Over/Under Pick for Panthers vs. Buccaneers
- Over 43.5 (5 units)
I expect this one to go over. This is a low number. Carolina scored 23 points in the win against the Buccaneers two weeks ago. The Buccaneers' defense has conceded 20 or more points in four straight games.
In addition, Tampa Bay has a healthy receiving group. They are a threat at home, averaging a solid 25 points on the season. Tampa Bay managed 169 rushing yards against the Panthers in the meeting last month. I expect more success against a shaky rush defense that is tabbed 19th. The over is a convincing 5-0 in the Panthers' past five road games against the Buccaneers.
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