Panthers at Bucs Spread Odds, Trends & Injuries
NFC South rivals meet at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Carolina Panthers at 1:00PM ET.
The Panthers notched their first victory of the season with a 20-17 victory over the Redskins in Week 5. Jake Delhomme threw for 181 yards with a touchdown and an interception for Carolina, who failed to cover the 5.5-point spread as favorites. Jonathan Stewart also rushed for 39 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries.
The Buccaneers dropped to 0-5 on the season with a 33-14 loss to the Eagles as 15.5-point underdogs last Sunday. Josh Johnson threw for 240 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions for Tampa Bay, while tight end Kellen Winslow caught nine passes for 102 yards and two touchdowns.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL.com have made the Panthers 3-point favorites over the Buccaneers on Sunday. The over/under total for this game has been set at 39 points.
The Panthers are the better team in this matchup, but certainly not by much. Carolina needed a rally in the second half to beat a bad Washington team last week, so nobody should be confident in the Panthers ability to go on the road and win a divisional game (nobody who their opponent is).
The young quarterback Johnson threw three interceptions last week, but he continues to make improvements as a passer. He gives the Bucs an athletic running threat from the quarterback position and as long as he doesn’t turn the ball over, he’ll give his team a chance to earn its first victory on Sunday.
The key for Tampa this week is stopping the run. If they can do that, Delhomme won’t be able to beat them through the air because he can’t beat anyone through the air. He’s mistake prone and if the Panthers become one-dimensional he’ll be in trouble.
The Buccaneers earn their first victory this Sunday in an ugly, low-scoring game.
Our NFL Week 6 Free Pick for this matchup is: TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS +3 and UNDER 39.
Panthers at Buccaneers Current Odds
221 Carolina Panthers –3 Over 39
222 Tampa Bay Buccaneers +3 Under 39
NFL Week 6 Betting Trends
Carolina is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
Carolina is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Tampa Bay is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
NFL Week 6 Injury Report
Carolina Panthers
Dante Rosario TE Missed Thursday Practice (ankle)
Steve Smith WR Limited Thursday Practice (knee)
James Anderson LB Full Thursday Practice (concussion)
Jon Beason LB Full Thursday Practice (knee)
Na'il Diggs LB Full Thursday Practice (rib)
Nick Hayden DT Full Thursday Practice (toe)
Captain Munnerlyn CB Full Thursday Practice (shoulder)
Jonathan Stewart RB Full Thursday Practice (achilles)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
B.J. Askew RB Missed Thursday Practice (back, neck)
Jerramy Stevens TE Missed Thursday Practice (quadricep)
Antonio Bryant WR Limited Thursday Practice (knee)
Jeff Faine C Full Thursday Practice (triceps)
Earnest Graham RB Full Thursday Practice (hamstring)
Kyle Moore DE Full Thursday Practice (knee)
Donald Penn T Full Thursday Practice (ankle)
Clifton Smith RB Full Thursday Practice (ankle)
Jimmy Wilkerson DE Full Thursday Practice (knee)