The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will try to snap their two-game losing streak on Sunday afternoon when they return home to play the Carolina Panthers. The Buccaneers opened as six-point favorites over Tampa Bay, but that number has moved to five.
The Buccaneers hope to have starting QB Baker Mayfield for this contest, who suffered an ankle injury in last week’s game against the Colts. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Wednesday that Tampa Bay is “optimistic” Mayfield will be able to play.
As for the Panthers, they will have a new head coach on the sidelines after the team fired head coach Frank Reich on Monday. Carolina’s offense hasn’t looked good this season as rookie QB Bryce Young has struggled mightily under center.
Can the Panthers find some new life with a different voice calling the plays, or will the Bucs snap their losing streak and salvage their playoff hopes? Below, we will break down this Week 13 matchup and give our best bet!
If you are going to bet on this game, make sure to do it with our partner DraftKings! If you sign up below, you will get $150 in bonus bets instantly on your first bet of $5 AND a no sweat single game parlay every day this football season! All you have to do is opt-in below!
Panthers vs. Buccaneers Odds, Spread and Total
Panthers vs. Buccaneers Betting Trends
- The Panthers are 2-7 ATS in their last nine games
- The UNDER is 5-0 in Carolina’s last five games
- Tampa Bay is 2-3 ATS at home this season
- The UNDER is 7-2 in the Buccaneers’ past nine games
Panthers vs. Buccaneers Injury Reports
Panthers Injury Report
- CJ Henderson - CB - Questionable
- Hayden Hurst - TE - Questionable
- Tommy Tremble - TE - Questionable
- Cade Mays - G - Questionable
- Laviska Shenault Jr. - WR - Questionable
Buccaneers Injury Report
- Baker Mayfield - QB - Questionable
- Mike Greene - DE - Questionable
- Jamel Dean - CB - Questionable
- Lavonte David - LB - Questionable
Panthers vs. Buccaneers How to Watch
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 3
- Game Time: 4:05 p.m. EST
- Venue: Raymond James Stadium
- How to Watch (TV): CBS
- Panthers Record: 1-10
- Buccaneers Record: 4-7
Panthers vs. Buccaneers Key Players to Watch
Carolina Panthers
Bryce Young: The rookie quarterback finished with under 200 passing yards for the fourth straight game last week against the Titans (194). Young also completed 58.1% of his passes, making it the fourth time he had a completion percentage in the 50s. The 22-year-old QB hasn’t experienced the same success C.J. Stroud has in Houston, but the hope is things will turn around in Carolina after the team shockingly moved on from head coach Frank Reich.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rachaad White: White had his first 100-yard rushing game in last week’s loss to the Colts. The second-year running back didn’t score a touchdown vs. Indianapolis, but it was good to see him having success on the ground. It should continue on Sunday afternoon against the Panthers, who have allowed 124.9 rushing yards per game and 18 touchdowns this season.
Panthers vs. Buccaneers Prediction and Pick
The Buccaneers’ defense did a great job of getting the Colts’ offense off the field on third down (2-of-11) but could not replicate that on fourth down (3-of-4) and red zone (3-of-5).
However, the good news for the Buccaneers is they are facing a Panthers’ offense that’s ranked 20th in third down conversion percentage (37.2) and 19th in red zone scoring percentage (52.0).
Carolina has yet to win a game on the road this season (0-6), as they are getting outscored by 12.1 points per game. Out of their six road losses, four of them have come by double digits. The Buccaneers haven’t played great football lately, losing four out of their last five games. However, their lone win came at home against the Titans, who were starting a rookie quarterback (Will Levis).
If Mayfield can play on Sunday, I don’t see the Buccaneers’ offense having issues moving the ball against the Panthers’ defense. And at the same time, I see Bucs head coach Todd Bowles applying a lot of pressure to Young and forcing a couple of turnovers.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.