NFL Picks: Panthers vs Buccaneers Week 2 NFL Odds and Preview

After both suffering Week 1 losses, the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers will face off in this divisional battle. The odds are considering the Buccaneers to be heavy home favorites, making this spread one of the more interesting NFL picks of the week.

Panthers vs Buccaneers Odds and Info

All odds taken from Bovada Sportsbook.

Opening Lines: TB -8.0, O/U 48.5
Moneyline: CAR: (+310) | TB: (-390)
Spread: CAR: +9.5 (-120) | TB: -9.5 (+100)
Total: 47.5 – Over: (-110) | Under: (-110)
Location: Raymond James Stadium — Tampa, FL
Start Time: 1 p.m. EST
Coverage: FOX

Panthers vs Buccaneers Overview

The Carolina offense came to play in Week 1, using the new Matt Rhule system. They put up 30 points and had some fourth quarter success, but in the end, the defense was too poor to pull out the win. We are talking about a defensive unit that was the worst against the run, allowing 5.2 yards per rush last season. Then, you take Luke Kuechly away from that group. Yikes.

Yes, the Panthers have a lot of young talent, after they used every single draft pick on the defensive side of the ball. However, there is a learning period in the NFL, especially with an abbreviated offseason program to get ready.

Speaking of learning period, this Tom Brady-led Tampa offense clearly was not on the same page in Week 1. When they weren’t running the same rush up the middle to no success, Brady and his receivers were seeing the field differently, which led to miscommunication and mistakes. This will get better and, luckily, they play a defense that will offer preseason-like resistance, as shown in Week 1. This is a confidence-boosting week for this Tampa offense.

The only question about this group is health in the wide receiver room. Mike Evans played the majority of the snaps last week, after being limited with a hamstring injury. He should be good to play his full snaps against a weaker opponent here. However, we recently found out that Chris Godwin is in the concussion protocol. This is something to keep an eye on, as his absence would add yet another variable to an offense that already struggled in Week 1.

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Panthers vs Buccaneers Trends

Carolina lost to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1, 34-30.
Tampa Bay lost to the New Orleans Saints in Week 1, 34-23.
Carolina is 0-5-1 against the spread (ATS) in its last six games.
Carolina is 10-4 straight up in its last 14 games against Tampa Bay.
The total has hit the over in 13 of Tampa Bay’s last 15 games.
Tampa Bay is 7-13 straight up in its last 20 games.

Panthers vs Buccaneers Stats

Carolina averaged 21.2 points per game (PPG) during the 2019 season (No. 20 in NFL).
Carolina surrendered 29.4 PPG during the 2019 season (No. 31 in NFL).
Tampa Bay averaged 28.6 PPG during the 2019 season (No. 4 in NFL).
Tampa Bay surrendered 28.1 PPG during the 2019 season (No. 29 in NFL).

Panthers vs Buccaneers NFL Picks

Prop Bet

All odds taken from Bovada Sportsbook.

Away Team Total Points: Over 19.5 (-110)

This Panthers offense has too much firepower to be completely locked down. Simply, this defense isn’t good enough to hold the Buccaneers in check all game long. So, either the game will remain close, due to this offense, or it will be a blowout, with an opportunity to hit this prop in garbage time. There are two roads to this hitting.

Bottom Line

While I think Tampa wins this game, this spread has gotten out of control. As loaded as the Bucs’ offense is, Carolina has just as many offensive weapons, and they had better chemistry last week. They only need to keep it within single-digit points, and I think a combination of Christian McCaffrey and these receivers will lead to enough plays to do just that.

NFL Pick: Carolina Panthers +9.5