The first goal in the NFL is making the playoffs. And the ultimate goal is a championship. But, when your playoff hopes are all but dashed like the Carolina Panthers, the next best thing is playing spoiler. And that’s what they’ll try to do this week as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers cling to their own playoff goals.

As NFL fans know too well, these division games are always dicey. These teams are always built with their division foes in mind. So we’re not taking our Buccaneers vs. Panthers Week 13 predictions lately. Especially for Thanksgiving weekend. 

Even if you just want to see the Buccaneers vs. Panthers odds and have Buccaneers vs. Panthers picks of your own, don’t forget to scroll down at the end to see how you can scoop up a $1,500 BetMGM Sportsbook sign-up bonus! 

 

 


 

Buccaneers vs. Panthers Predictions For NFL Week 13, Sunday Night Football 12/1

This “division rivalry” has not been much of a rivalry as of late. These teams obviously play at least twice a year - the Buccaneers have won three straight and seven of the last eight. They have yet to play this year so will play twice over the next five games.

The Buccaneers have lost four of their last five though it’s been a tough stretch facing teams like the 49ers, Chiefs, and Ravens. The Panthers have actually been playing better as of late. They beat the Saints and Giants then took the Chiefs to the end last week, losing 27-30. 

 

 

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Baker Mayfield Having Fun

Despite the recent stretch of tough games, Baker Mayfield continues to be one of the funnest players to to watch in this league. He lost Chris Godwin for the season but he’s been leaning on tight end Cade Otton and just got star wide receiver Mike Evans back. The backs for Tampa Bay have been playing well to the point that offensive coordinator Liam Coen has said that it’s hard to find the snaps for Bucky Irving, Rachaad White, and Sean Tucker.

Tampa Bay’s defense is following a similar trend to recent years where they are better against the run than they are against the pass. With Vita Vea up front, that’s always going to be a problem for opposing run games. It’s worth noting that the Buccaneers did miss both Jamel Dean and Antoine Winfield for a good chunk of these game.

 

 

 

Carolina Panthers: Trending In The Right Direction

The Panthers are playing better offense than they did earlier this season and that starts with Bryce Young. Last week against a tough Chiefs defense he racked up 263 yards, his best mark of the season. And he did it without throwing an interception.

Adam Thielen has returned to play opposite of Xavier Legette though they did lose promising rookie tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders to a neck injury. Rookie running back Jonathon Brooks made his debut though they are being especially cautious with him with only five snaps. Chuba Hubbard has played well enough that rushing Brooks is simply not necessary.

Defense is whether the Panthers have struggled greatly. They currently rank 31st in DVOA per FTN Fantasy which puts them only behind the Jacksonville Jaguars. They aren’t really stopping opposing offenses from doing anything but they’ve been particularly susceptible to the tight end. Chiefs tight ends just hit them for 126 yards and 2 touchdowns on 10 receptions just last week. 

 

 

 

Buccaneers vs. Panthers Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines

As promised, the latest Buccaneers vs. Panthers odds can be found below courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook:

 

 

 

Buccaneers vs. Panthers: Game Total Over 46.5 (-110 at BetMGM Sportsbook)

I wouldn’t necessarily say that the Panthers are getting “hot” but they are playing better as of late. We really don’t like betting against the trends like that, especially in a division game. But we can bet with the trend AND on Baker Mayfield to carve up this Panthers defense by betting on the over.

The Panthers run game is surprisingly decent and they are getting veteran Adam Thielen back at the right time for this matchup. Xavier Legette has flashed his 1st round pedigree at times and Tommy Tremble could be a sneaky dart throw in DFS. 

In fact, both of these defenses have struggled against tight ends so both Tremble and Cade Otton could do some damage here. The Panthers don’t have an answer for Mike Evans or the three-headed rush attack of Tampa Bay so the most important thing here is Bryce Young’s ability to fight back. And, as of late, he’s been fighting back. 
 

 

 

Buccaneers vs. Panthers Injury Report & Latest News

Finally, let’s take a quick look at the projected starting lineups for both teams heading into tonight’s matchup:

TB Buccaneers

CAR Panthers

 

 

 

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