The Tampa Bay Buccaneers visit the Carolina Panthers on Monday Night on ESPN. The big question in this game is whether or not Carolina quarterback Cam Newton will play. He suffered a concussion in last week’s loss to Atlanta and he is in the concussion protocol. If he is not cleared then it will be Derek Anderson getting the start on Monday. Let’s look at the matchup and Monday Night Football picks.
Monday Night Football Odds
Oddsmakers currently have the Panthers -5½ point favorites in this matchup and the total set at 46. If Newton plays then the Panthers will be laying more than a TD at home but if it is Anderson under center then look for the line to be under a TD at sports betting sites.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1-3 SU, 1-3 ATS
The Bucs somehow went into Atlanta in the opener and beat the Falcons but since that game the Bucs have dropped three straight. Quarterback Jameis Winston has been inconsistent and the defense has played poorly. The Bucs are scoring just 19 points per game and allowing 32 per contest.
Carolina Panthers 1-3 SU, 1-3 ATS
The Panthers really don’t know if they will have Newton or whether it will be Anderson getting the start. “I have no idea,” Panthers coach Ron Rivera said, “It really is tough to answer the question. It’s hard. I don’t want to say something that would go against what the trainers are saying, or the doctors for that matter.”
The Panthers could be just fine with Anderson against the Bucs as he went 2-0 against Tampa when he started in 2014. He completed 49 of 74 passes for 501 yards and three TDs in those games.
The Panthers are scoring 27 points per game but they are giving up nearly 30 per contest. Carolina has gone over the total in three of their four games this season.
Game Notes
The Buccaneers are 1-5 ATS in the last 6 meetings in this series. The Bucs have dropped the last six games against the Panthers. The Buccaneers are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games in October. The Buccaneers are 1-4-2 ATS in their last 7 Monday games. The Buccaneers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games. The Buccaneers are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 vs. the NFC.
The favorite is 13-4 ATS in the last 17 meetings in this series. The Panthers are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games in October. The Panthers are 20-8-1 ATS in their last 29 home games. The Panthers are 11-5 ATS in their last 16 vs. the NFC.
The Over is 11-2 at the best betting sites in the Buccaneers last 13 games in October. The Over is 4-1 in the Buccaneers last 5 Monday games. The Under is 7-3 in the Buccaneers last 10 vs. the NFC South. The Over is 4-1 in the Panthers last 5 home games. The Over is 5-2 in the Panthers last 7 vs. the NFC South. The Under is 11-5 in the last 16 meetings in Carolina.
Monday Night Football Picks
I will take the Panthers and the game over the total at the best online sportsbooks.
