Bucs vs. Panthers Total Pick
Is the betting total set too low for Sunday’s NFC South matchup between the Tampa Bay Bucs and Carolina Panthers? The kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET.
Game Info
Matchup: Bucs (4-10) at Panthers (10-4)
TV: FOX, 1:00 p.m. ET
Line: Panthers -10
ODDS: According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the over/under currently sits at 46.5 points after hitting the board at that same number. The Panthers, meanwhile, are 10-point home favorites to beat the Bucs, who also opened as a 9-point road underdog.
PUBLIC BETTING: As of this writing, 68% of betting tickets are on the Panthers to cover the spread while 75% of the money is also on Carolina.
INJURY REPORT: Doug Martin is questionable to return after he was a surprise inactive on Monday night versus the Falcons. He reportedly missed a team meeting and was benched, so we’ll see if he returns. Meanwhile, J.R. Sweezy and Vernon Hargreaves are out for the year, while Gerald McCoy is out with a biceps tear. Linebacker Lavonte David (hamstring) is questionable.
On the other side, Devin Funchess (shoulder) is questionable, as are Trai Turner (concussion) and Captain Munnerlyn (disciplinary). Thomas Davis (suspended) and Charles Johnson (suspended) are both out.
OUR PREDICTION: The under has been a great bet in this series but I see this as a high-scoring game. Tampa Bay is extremely banged-up on defense and has been gifting points to opponents all season. The over is 7-1 in the Bucs’ last eight road games and has cashed in four of their last five games when playing on a Sunday following a Monday night game.
On the other side, the over is 5-0 in the Panthers’ last five games overall, is 4-0 in their last four games coming off a win, and is 5-1 in their last six home games. The over is also 6-0 in Carolina’s last six games after scoring more than 30 points in its previous game.
NFL WEEK 16 OVER/UNDER PREDICTION: BUCS/PANTHERS OVER 46.5
