In this article, we will formulate a Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers prediction for this NFL game on Sunday, December 29th at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this week 17 matchup.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 8-7 this year after they lost to Dallas by a score of 26-24 in their last game. Tampa Bay trailed 23-14 at halftime, but they had the ball down two points late in the game, before fumbling for the loss. The Buccaneers outgained Dallas by a total of 410-317, lost the turnover battle 2-0, and went 6-12 on third down in the game. Baker Mayfield threw for 303 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, while Bucky Irving rushed for 68 yards and one score in the loss.
Prior to that game, the Buccaneers won four in a row against the Chargers, Raiders, Panthers, and Giants. The Tampa Bay offense has scored 28.5 points per game with 246.1 passing yards and 143.7 rushing yards per game, while the defense has allowed 23.5 points per game this season. Baker Mayfield has completed 70.9% of his passes for 3,920 yards, 34 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions, while Mike Evans has caught 57 passes for 818 yards and nine scores this year.
Carolina Panthers Betting Preview
The Carolina Panthers are 4-11 this season after they defeated Arizona in overtime by a score of 36-30 in their last game. Carolina led 20-17 at halftime and 30-20 in the fourth quarter, but they needed overtime to get the win. The Panthers outgained Arizona by a total of 392-382, won the turnover battle 2-0, and went 6-14 on third down in the game. Bryce Young threw for 158 yards and two touchdowns, while Chuba Hubbard rushed for 152 yards and two scores in the win.
Prior to that game, the Panthers lost four in a row against the Cowboys, Eagles, Buccaneers, and Chiefs. The Carolina offense has scored 18.9 points per game with 183.5 passing yards and 112.3 rushing yards per game, while the defense has allowed 29.9 points per game this season. Bryce Young has completed 60.2% of his passes for 1,949 yards, 10 touchdowns, and nine interceptions, while Chuba Hubbard has rushed for 1,195 yards and 10 scores.
Why the Panthers will beat the Buccaneers
- The Panthers have won 11 of their last 12 games against the Buccaneers following a win.
- The Buccaneers have lost eight of their last 12 December games as home favorites against NFC opponents.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in each of the Panthers’ last seven games.
- The Buccaneers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six December games as favorites against NFC opponents.
- The Panthers have won the first half in nine of their last 10 games against the Buccaneers following a win.
- The Panthers have won the first quarter in three of their last four games as underdogs against NFC opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Eight of the last nine games between NFC South teams have gone OVER the total points line.
- Seven of the Panthers’ last eight games played on the East Coast have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Buccaneers’ last four games as home favorites against the Panthers have gone OVER the total points line.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Player Prop Facts
- Rachaad White has scored at least one touchdown in each of the Buccaneers’ last four home games.
- Rachaad White has recorded 66+ rushing and receiving yards in each of his last nine appearances against NFC South opponents.
- Baker Mayfield has recorded 289+ passing yards in five of the Buccaneers’ last six home games against NFC opponents.
- Rachaad White has recorded 18+ receiving yards in each of the Buccaneers’ last 12 regular season home games.
- Bucky Irving has recorded 68+ rushing yards in each of the Buccaneers’ last four games against NFC opponents.
- Baker Mayfield has thrown three touchdowns in three of the Buccaneers’ last four home games.
- Baker Mayfield has recorded 23+ completions in six of the Buccaneers’ last seven games following a loss.
- Heading into Week 17, Bucky Irving ranks 1st amongst qualified players for catch rate (95.3%) this season.
Carolina Panthers Player Prop Facts
- Chuba Hubbard has scored the last touchdown in four of the Panthers’ last five games played as underdogs on the East Coast.
- Adam Thielen has recorded 65+ receiving yards in four of his last five December appearances with his team as a road underdog against NFC opponents.
- Bryce Young has recorded 17+ rushing yards in each of the Panthers’ last five games as underdogs.
- Chuba Hubbard has scored a touchdown in each of the Panthers’ last four games as underdogs following a win.
- Chuba Hubbard has recorded 96+ rushing and receiving yards in each of the Panthers’ last four December road games against NFC opponents.
- Bryce Young has recorded 20+ completions in four of his five previous appearances following a win.
- Andy Dalton has thrown two or more touchdowns in four of his last five December appearances against NFC opponents.
- Heading into Week 17, Raheem Blackshear ranks 2nd in the NFL in kick return yards (791) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Heading into Week 17, the Buccaneers rank 31st in the NFL in average yards per punt (43.9) this season.
- Heading into Week 17, the Buccaneers rank 2nd in the NFL in 3rd down percentage (48.4%) this season.
- Heading into Week 17, the Panthers rank 32nd in the NFL in points allowed per game (29.9) this season.
- Heading into Week 17, the Panthers rank 32nd in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game (175.2) this season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers Prediction
Tampa Bay comes into this matchup after playing pretty poorly last week against the Cowboys, and now they need help to win the NFC South. The Buccaneers have a very strong offensive attack and they have scored 26 points or more in five straight games, but their defense has been an issue at times. Carolina snapped their losing streak with a win over the Cardinals last week, but they have played much better over the last six games. The Bucs needed overtime to beat Carolina back on December 1st and I think this is going to be another close game, as Young and the Carolina offense continue to get better. Take Carolina and the points.