Things are heating up in the NFC South as the final two weeks of the season are on the horizon. The Panthers, who have suffered two losses already to the division leading New Orleans Saints, have given up hopes of winning the division in 2017. However, Carolina is still very much in the hunt for a Wild Card berth as the franchise is currently sitting on the NFC’s No. 5 seed. We’re the season to end today; the Panthers would be celebrating a Wild Card draw. However, the US sportsbook season isn’t ending today and the Panthers still have a bit of work to do if they are to make the postseason cut.
This weekend, the best sportsbook online players in the nation will have the opportunity to wager on an NFC South rivalry as the Panthers host the Buccaneers. Considering that Carolina needs all the wins they can get, the Panthers are extremely fortunate to be facing a team as weak as the Bucs this late in the season. Let’s take a gander at the type of odds sports betting websites are giving the Panthers in this weekend’s matchup.
Betting Tampa Bay
The Bucs swim into this Week 16 pairing flashing a disappointing 4-10 record that ranks them dead last in the NFC South. Tampa Bay comes into this Sunday’s pairing riding a 4-game losing streak that demonstrates beyond doubt that this team needs some major shakeups. Obviously with such a meager record, the Bucs have already been eliminated from playoff contention. In other words, Tampa Bay doesn’t have much to play for this weekend. Although, the Bucs could strive to ruin the Panthers day and attempt to keep Carolina from locking up that Wild Card berth.
While most NFL betting players would agree that the Bucs don’t stand much of a chance this weekend, the numbers actually tell a different story. Tampa Bay is currently averaging 20.4 points on offense, which is slightly less than the 23.6 Cam Newton and the Panthers are putting up each weekend. While the Panthers have the advantage on offense, it’s still something the Bucs could theoretically overcome. Defensively Tampa Bay is at a disadvantage once again since they are giving up a total of 24.0 points while the Panthers are giving up 20.4 themselves.
Betting Carolina
The Panthers pounce into this matchup riding a 2-game win streak that has helped the Panthers achieve their 10-4 record. As aforementioned, the Panthers currently rank 3rd in the division behind the Saints and the Falcons. Since both the Falcons and Saints will be playing each other this weekend, the Panthers could capitalize on the NFC South pairings. Carolina will have to face the Falcons next weekend, so the Panthers will be looking to capitalize on the easy win that the Bucs provide.
You’re not going to want to take the Bucs this weekend and you’re also going to want to shy away from taking Carolina straight up. There’s not much value to be had on the Panthers’ money line and but since the Panthers have a 9-4-1 record against the spread this season, bettors can cash in on a nicer payday by taking Carolina to cover the 10 point spread prediction.
Best Sportsbooks Online Betting Lines:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +10 (-110) 46 (-115) +351
Carolina Panthers -10 (-110) 46 (-105) -450
