Panthers vs. Bucs Betting Preview

The Panthers have gone from a +8 to +10 road dog in Tampa Bay as the Bucs look to bolster their chance for a playoff appearance.

The Bucs (8-7) have won eight of the last nine meetings between the NFC South rivals, including the past three with Baker Mayfield at quarterback.  The last four Tampa wins, however, were well within the current 10-point spread.  Prior to this trend, Carolina won outright, thus making for five straight games in which the Panthers covered the current spread.

Line Analysis and Action

Sagarin has a number of 10.98, suggesting an underlay. In three of their last five games, the Bucs have demonstrated they are more than capable of winning games by more than this number.

But the Panthers have also covered the spread in six of their last seven games overall.

Comparables

• Atlanta +8 to +10 Tampa (road dog Atlanta covers with Tampa 6 point win) Tampa 13.5 Underlay 3.5 to 5.5 points - Road dog covers.

Bucs Playoff Hopes

The Bucs are tied with Atlanta for the best record in the NFC South, however the Falcons (8-7) hold the tiebreaker after sweeping the season series between the teams.

To claim a fourth straight division title, Tampa Bay needs to win remaining home games against the Panthers and New Orleans Saints while Atlanta loses at least once in the last two weeks of the regular season.

If the Falcons hold on to win the South, the Bucs can earn a wild-card playoff berth if they win out and the Washington Commanders lose twice.