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The Bucs were hoping to take a leap to playoff contender this season but have not looked good through their first six games. Tampa Bay is a slight favorite at home in this one and will be in dire straits if it loses again. Carolina has unsurprisingly been inconsistent this season and certainly has the capacity to win this game if it plays well, but it’s hard to know what Panthers team is going to show up.
Watch this regular season Week 8 matchup live on Sunday, October 29, 2017, at 1 p.m. ET at Raymond James Stadium.
Opening NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Carolina Panthers +2
Tampa Bay Buccaneers -2
Over/Under 44
Odds Analysis
The Buccaneers have struggled this season but nonetheless are slight home favorites. The betting public is on board as Tampa Bay is getting more than 62 percent of the action to cover the spread.
The scoring total is pretty low because these offenses can be inconsistent. The bettors believe it is too low as the majority of the action is on the “over” in this one.
Injury Report
Luke Kuechly-- The Panthers’ star middle linebacker missed Sunday’s game against the Bears with a concussion but seems close to being cleared. He is a key player but Kuechly has a history of concussions so the team will be cautious. Keep an eye on Kuechly’s availability as he greatly improves the Carolina defense when available.
Kurt Coleman -- The Carolina safety has missed three consecutive games with a knee injury. The Panthers’ secondary has trouble against the pass sometimes and Coleman’s presence is important. He is getting better and could be ready to play Tampa Bay.
Ryan Kalil -- Carolina’s center aggravated a neck injury last time out and left the game early. He has been battling the issue for several weeks and if this is a significant setback it is a big loss for the Panthers’ offense. Kalil’s availability should be more clear as the week moves along.
Jameis Winston -- Tampa Bay’s quarterback injured his shoulder in Week 6 against the Cardinals but started and played the whole way last week in a loss to the Buffalo Bills. Winston may be limited a bit in practice this week but should be good to go on Sunday.
Player to Watch
Cam Newton -- The Panthers’ often go the way of their quarterback. Newton has thrown eight touchdowns and only two interceptions in the team’s four wins this season. On the flip-side, he has thrown just one touchdown pass in the team’s three losses compared to an ungodly eight interceptions.
Newton is a former MVP but has regressed the past couple of seasons. He has the capacity to put the entire team on his back at times but it still prone to inaccuracy and bad turnovers. The Bucs hope to rattle him, and if star defensive tackle Gerald McCoy gets in the backfield regularly, it will give Newton some issues.
Free ATS Pick
The Buccaneers have not shown enough to believe in them in this game. Tampa Bay has some talent on offense but it hasn’t all clicked regularly this season. Carolina has also been up and down but has the better defense.
Tampa Bay may be the slight favorite but the Panthers are the choice to win this game on the road. The “under” is the choice as both quarterbacks could have their issues in this one.
NFL Odds: Panthers 23, Buccaneers 20
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