Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers odds, picks and predictions

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The Carolina Panthers (6-9) and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8) meet for a Week 17 matchup Sunday. Kickoff from Raymond James Stadium is set for 1 p.m. (FOX). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Panthers vs. Buccaneers odds, and make our expert NFL picks and predictions.

The Panthers are alive for the NFC South title, controlling their own destiny. A win in Tampa is obviously imperative, and with a loss Carolina is eliminated from postseason contention.

Carolina stunned the visiting Detroit Lions last week at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, winning 37-23 as 2.5-point underdogs. The Panthers are 7-2 ATS in the last 9 games, including a 21-3 win over the Bucs in Week 7 as a 13-point underdog.

Tampa Bay is just 3-4 straight up (SU) this season at home, while going 0-6-1 against the spread (ATS). In fact, the Buccaneers have failed to cover the last 5 games overall, while going just 1-11-1 ATS in the last 13 games.

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Panthers at Buccaneers odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 6:03 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Panthers +160 (bet $100 to win $160) | Buccaneers -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
Against the spread: Panthers +3.5 (-112) | Buccaneers -3.5 (-108)
Over/Under (O/U): 40.5 (O: -109 | U: -111)

Panthers at Buccaneers key injuries

Panthers

DE Marquis Haynes (ankle) questionable
CB Jaycee Horn (wrist) doubtful
TE Stephen Sullivan (ankle) questionable
LB Shaq Thompson (hamstring) questionable
TE Tommy Tremble (hip) questionable

Buccaneers

CB Carlton Davis (shoulder) questionable
CB Jamel Dean (toe) questionable
FS Mike Edwards (hamstring) questionable
WR Julio Jones (knee) questionable
LB Carl Nassib (pectoral) questionable
TE Cade Otton (quadriceps) questionable
OT Donovan Smith (foot) questionable
NT Vita Vea (calf) questionable
S Antoine Winfield Jr. (ankle) questionable
OT Tristan Wirfs (ankle) questionable

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Panthers at Buccaneers picks and predictions

Prediction

Buccaneers 21, Panthers 18

Moneyline

This is going to be a super tight game. The Panthers have been pesky since interim coach Steve Wilks took the reins of the team, and one of his 5 victories came against these Bucs. When the Buccaneers were at -170 it was playable if you wanted to forget about fiddling around with the points. But with the line up to -190, look to the spread.

PASS.

Against the spread

This game could very well come down to a field to decide a winner so take BUCCANEERS -3.5 (-112), because I really and truly believe Tampa Bay will win by exactly 3 points.

Over/Under

UNDER 40.5 (-107) is the way to go in this ultra-important NFC South battle.

We saw a total of 24 points in the first meeting in Charlotte, an easy Under play, and the Under is 8-3 in the last 11 NFC South Division battles for the Panthers.

For the Bucs, the Under is 4-0 in the last 4 inside the division, while going 13-3 in the last 16 against teams with a losing record, and 11-4 in the last 15 games overall.

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