The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7) and Carolina Panthers (7-7) meet in a crucial Week 16 NFL game on Sunday, December 21. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. The game will be broadcast live on FOX.
The Buccaneers are favored by -3 on the spread; the over/under is 45.5 points. The Buccaneers are -160 favorites on the moneyline and the Panthers are +135 home underdogs.
Let's get into my Buccaneers vs Panthers prediction for today's NFC South game.
Buccaneers vs Panthers Prediction
- Buccaneers vs Panthers pick: First Quarter Under 9.5 (-110)
My Buccaneers vs Panthers best bet is on the first quarter under. Find the best odds by checking our live NFL odds page.
Buccaneers vs Panthers Odds
| Buccaneers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3 -105 | 45.5 -110o / -110u | -160 |
| Panthers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3 -115 | 45.5 -110o / -110u | +135 |
Buccaneers vs Panthers NFL Week 16 Preview
Buccaneers Betting Preview: Bucs Woes to Continue
It's safe to say that this game is a must-win for the Buccaneers. They come into this matchup having lost four of their last five games and are now tied with the Panthers at the top of the NFC South.
What's puzzling is that this team has gotten drastically healthier during its decline, as the likes of Mike Evans, Bucky Irving and Chris Godwin are all healthy. However, despite the talent, the offense's efficiency has been horrid.
The Bucs are 24th in EPA per play, 23rd in red-zone scoring rate, and 25th in yards per pass. Not pushing the ball down the field and failure to finish drives have plagued this team, and getting it together on the road in a critical matchup is a tall ask, given their current state.
Yes, the Panthers defense is nothing to write home about, but Carolina has been stout in the red zone, and we should see them at their best early in this one.
Carolina Panthers Betting Preview: Bounce-Back Spot?
The Panthers blew a chance to take control of the division as they surrendered 10 unanswered points to the Saints in a heartbreaking loss. However, this is the spot for them to get up off the deck by taking down the Bucs in front of their home crowd.
Carolina has been its best at home, going 4-2 against the spread, and the covers were outright victories as well. The latest came in a stunning upset of the Los Angeles Rams, where the potential of the Panthers' passing attack was on full display.
The chances of Bryce Young and company repeating that performance are higher than you may think. The Buccaneers' secondary has been abysmal, ranking 26th in opponent completion percentage and 28th in yards per pass allowed.
Although, much like their counterparts, Carolina has had its fair share of inefficient stretches. The Panthers are 20th in third-down conversion rate, 26th in red-zone scoring rate, and 24th in touchdowns per game.
This is a matchup where we should see their offense get right, but it may take a bit for them to find their rhythm.
Buccaneers vs Panthers Prediction, Betting Analysis
Despite the struggles of each of these defenses, neither offense offers much confidence. The Bucs are 28th in first-quarter points, averaging 3.4 on the season, and the Panthers are not far ahead in 18th with an average of 4.3.
That simple math is likely why multiple books list this number as 7.5 rather than 9.5, which we're grabbing here. In this crucial divisional game, look for both defenses to come out hot against these scuffling offenses.
Pick: 1st Quarter Under 9.5
Spread
I lean towards the Panthers to cover in this matchup.
Moneyline
I'm also willing to back Carolina to win outright here.
Over/Under
Take the first quarter under.
