Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Prediction, 1/9/2022 NFL Picks, Best Bets & Odds Week 18

Game: Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Date: Sunday, January 9, 2022

Location: Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL

TV: FOX

Odds/Point Spread: Buccaneers (-16.5)

Total/Over-Under: 43

Raymond James Stadium is where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (12-4) will try to beat the Carolina Panthers (5-11) on Sunday. Carolina is 16.5-point dogs from oddsmakers. The total comes in at 43.

The Carolina Panthers come into this matchup with a record of 5-11 for this year. In their last contest, the Panthers stepped onto the field against the Saints and ended up losing by a score of 18-10. Sam Darnold went 17/26 with 132 yds through the air. He had a quarterback rate of 61.7 and walked away from the contest with 1 pick. Chuba Hubbard was the rushing leader for the Panthers with 17 totes for 55 yds (3.2 yds per carry). Robby Anderson left with an average of 5.0 yds per catch by notching 10 yds on 2 catches. The Carolina Panthers ended up rushing 26 times and totaled 88 yds, which had them averaging 3.4 yards per carry. In all, they tallied 59 plays which gave them 178 yards. Carolina gave up 17 pass completions on 28 tries for 207 yards, and a completion percentage of 60.7%. Against the run, the Panthers conceded 73 yards on 28 tries, which is an average of 2.6 yards per run surrendered.

When it comes to scoring, the Carolina Panthers are averaging 17.9 points per contest. As a unit they're averaging 108.3 yards in the run game which ranks them 21st in the league. The Panthers have earned 4,764 yards in total for the year. Carolina has accounted for 164 1st downs as a team, and they have committed 106 infractions for 854 yds. They have turned the football over 27 different times (20 picks and 7 fumbles lost). In terms of getting the ball in the endzone, Carolina has earned 12 touchdowns through the air and 17 rushing touchdowns.

The Panthers are ranked 19th in the league concerning the opposition scoring, allowing 22.7 points per game. Opposing teams are running for an average of 4.1 yards per rushing attempt and 115.6 yards on the ground per game for the year. During this campaign, they have allowed 1,850 rushing yards through 16 games. When talking about yards via the pass, the Panthers have surrendered 2,942 yards which puts them in 2nd in the NFL. They have yielded 183.9 yards per contest through the air in addition to allowing a completion percentage of 64.7%. In total, they are surrendering 299.5 yards per game which puts them 2nd in the NFL. They have conceded 23 touchdowns by air in addition to 14 touchdowns running the ball.

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The Buccaneers step onto the field holding a record of 12-4 for this season. The last time they took the field, the Buccaneers walked away with a victory by a final of 28-24 when they faced the Jets. Tom Brady (3 touchdowns) ended the game with 410 yards on 34/50 through the air while his quarterback rating was 104.6. He tossed 1 pick and his average yds per pass attempt was 8.2 yards. Ke'Shawn Vaughn carried the football 8 times for 31 yds, walking away from the contest with 3.9 yds per attempt for Tampa Bay. Cameron Brate was a featured target for the Buccaneers, catching 2 footballs for 5 yards (2.5 yards per catch). Tampa Bay rushed for 3.0 yds per carry, finishing the contest with 62 yards on 21 carries. The Buccaneers finished the game with 467 yds and they ran 72 plays (6.5 yards per play). The Buccaneers passing defense allowed a completion percentage of 57.6%, relinquishing 224 yds on 19 for 33 through the air. Tampa Bay relinquished 26 run attempts for 150 yards (5.8 yds per rush).

Regarding their ability to score points, the Buccaneers rank 2nd in the league by tallying 29.4 points per game. During the season so far, the Buccaneers currently sit at 4,905 yards through the air not to mention an average of 306.6 throwing yards per game, ranking them 1st in the league. They are averaging 99.2 run yards per game and have run for 1,587 yards overall. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers average 405.8 yards per game ranking them 1st in football. The Tampa Bay offense has racked up 864 penalty yds on 95 infractions, which is good for 20th in the NFL in terms of making mistakes. They have tossed 12 interceptions while losing 7 fumbles and they have tallied 258 1st downs.

Tampa Bay has allowed the opposition a total of 1,463 yards on the ground (91.4 yards per contest) as well as 11 touchdowns rushing for the season. They have surrendered 24 touchdowns via the pass as well as 240.9 yards per game, which has them ranked 22nd in the league. They have totaled 27 turnovers (11 fumbles recovered and 16 picks) for the season. This season, they have relinquished 336 total points. The Buccaneers defense taken the field for 1,022 plays, which is good for 22nd in the league. The Buccaneers are allowing 21.0 points per contest, ranking them 10th of all teams in the league.

Who will win tonight's Panthers/Buccaneers NFL game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Buccaneers -16.5

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