Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers: Spread Info, Line and Predictions

Two teams playing to stay out of the NFC South basement face off this week as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-10) take on the Carolina Panthers (5-9). 

The Panthers have been one of the highest scoring teams this year, averaging 24 points per game, while Tampa Bay has struggled keeping opponents from scoring, allowing 28 points per game. 

When these two teams met in Week 13, Carolina manhandled Tampa, 38-19. 

Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC.  

When: Saturday, Dec. 24 at 1:00 PM ET

Watch: FOX 

Betting Line: According to SBGlobal, the Panthers are a 7.5-point favorite. You should take the Panthers in this game because of their ability to score. The last time these two teams played, the Panthers had a 38-12 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Over/Under: The over/under is set at 47.5 points. You should take the over in this game. The Panthers will run up the score again and the Buccaneers have given up 30 or more points in five of their last eight games.

Who Might Not Play For Carolina: 

TE Jeremy Shockey is probable for Saturday’s game due to a personal reason. 

DE Charles Johnson is questionable for Saturday’s game due to a back injury. The injury kept him out of practice on Tuesday.

Safety Charles Godfrey is probable for Saturday’s game due to a shoulder injury. He was limited in practice on Tuesday because of the injury. 

Who Might Not Play for Tampa Bay: 

DL Michael Bennett is questionable for Saturday’s game with a toe injury. He has practiced this week despite the injury. 

LB Geno Hayes is questionable with a knee injury. Hayes practiced this week and has a chance at playing this week. 

DT Brian Price is questionable with an ankle injury. Price did return to practice on Thursday despite the injury. 

Fantasy Big Players: 

Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton: The last time these two teams played, Newton didn’t have a great passing day, only throwing for 204 yards and one touchdown; however, he had three rushing scores and 54 yards. Newton will have another productive game at home against the Buccaneers. 

Carolina Panthers WR Steve Smith: Smith was held to only two catches for 32 yards on six targets in their first meeting. However, this time around Smith will catch more passes after being targeted six or more times. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Josh Freeman: Freeman didn’t play in their first meeting. However, he is a sneaky play this week, since the Buccaneers will have to throw the ball a lot to catch up to the Panthers. Freeman could have a day where he finishes with 300-plus yards and two touchdowns. 

Key to a Carolina Win:

Carolina must play tight defense when Tampa enters their side of the field. The Panthers held Tampa to four field goals in their last game, while Carolina scored four touchdowns.

Carolina must get their rushing game going. The last time these two teams played Carolina rushed for four touchdowns and 163 yards. 

Carolina must shut down the Tampa rushing game. Carolina has the 25th ranked rushing defense in the NFL. They held the Buccaneers rushing game to only 78 yards in their first contest. 

Key to a Tampa Bay Win: 

Tampa has to establish a running game. They only rushed for 78 yards the last time they played Carolina and only had the ball for 27 minutes. 

Tampa has to force Carolina into a one-dimensional offense. The Panthers rushed 39 times against the Buccaneers while only throwing 22 times. 

Tampa has to score touchdowns when they get into Carolina’s zone. During their last meeting, they kicked four field goals in the first half when they should have scored touchdowns. If they would have gotten seven points instead of three, the score at half-time would have been 28-21 Tampa Bay.  

Prediction: The Panthers are rolling right now after beating one of the best teams in the AFC, the Houston Texans. They have won three of their last four games, scoring 27 or more points in those three victories. 

The Panthers have too much offense for Tampa Bay this week and they sweep the season series to stay out of last place in the NFC South.

Carolina 34 - Tampa Bay 21

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