Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers Prediction, 1/7/2024 NFL Picks, Best Bets & Odds Week 18

Game: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers

Date: Sunday, January 7, 2024

Location: Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC

TV: FOX

Odds/Point Spread: Panthers (+5.5)

Total/Over-Under: 37.5

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8) are traveling to Bank of America Stadium on Sunday where they will go up against the Carolina Panthers (2-14). Tampa Bay opens this contest as 5.5-point favorites. The over/under comes in at 37.5.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers head into this matchup 8-8 for this year. The last time they took the field, the Buccaneers played the Saints and walked away from this one with a loss by a score of 23-13. Rachaad White was the leader on the ground for the Buccaneers with 11 carries for 42 yards (3.8 yards per carry). Trey Palmer had an average of 21.0 yds per catch by accumulating 84 yds on 4 catches. Baker Mayfield finished 22/33 with 309 yds passing and 2 touchdowns. He had a QB rating of 91.6 and finished the contest with 2 interceptions. In the running game, the Buccaneers conceded 108 yards on 35 attempts, which calculates to 3.1 yards per run allowed. Tampa Bay gave up 25 completions on 34 attempts for 202 yds, and a completion rate of 73.5%. For the game, they ran 50 plays which totaled 349 yds. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers ran the football 15 times and totaled 57 yds, which came out to an average of 3.8 yds per carry.

The Buccaneers have earned 5,093 yards in total over the course of this year. Tampa Bay has earned 182 first downs as a unit, and they have been flagged for 97 infractions for 736 yards. When it comes to distribution of touchdowns, Tampa Bay has earned 28 passing touchdowns and 8 rushing touchdowns. They have turned the football over 18 times (10 interceptions and 8 fumbles). As a team they're averaging 87.3 yards via the ground game which is 31st in the NFL. When it comes to scoring points, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have an average of 21.2 points per contest.

Concerning yards via the pass, the Buccaneers have surrendered 4,164 yards which puts them in 32nd in football. They have allowed 260.3 yards per game via the pass as well as giving up a completion percentage of 66.3%. In total, they are allowing 353.3 yards per outing which ranks them 25th in the NFL. They are giving up an average of 3.8 yards per attempt on the ground and 93.1 rushing yards per contest this season. In total, they have given up 1,489 rushing yards through 16 outings. The Buccaneers sit in 9th in the National Football League in terms of team defense, allowing 20.3 points per game.

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The Panthers come into this matchup with a record of 2-14 for this season. In their last game, the Panthers walked away with a loss by a score of 26-0 when they faced the Jaguars. Bryce Young ended the game with 112 yards on 19/32 through the air while his QB rating was 53.1. He threw 1 interception and his average yards per pass attempt was 3.5 yds. Chuba Hubbard carried the rock 11 times for 45 yards, finishing the contest with 4.1 yds per attempt for Carolina. Adam Thielen was the top contributor in the passing game for the Panthers, catching 6 balls for 38 yds (6.3 yds per reception). Carolina rushed for 3.8 yds per attempt, totaling 57 yards on 15 attempts. The Panthers finished the contest with a total of 124 yards while they ran 53 plays (2.3 yards per play). The Panthers pass defense conceded a completion rate of 70.8%, relinquishing 162 yds on 17 for 24 through the air. Carolina allowed 35 attempts on the ground for 155 yards (4.4 yds per rush).

When discussing their scoring prowess, the Panthers rank 31st out of all teams in football by scoring 14.8 points per game. For the season thus far, the Panthers have earned 2,673 yards through the air as well as an average of 167.1 passing yards per game, ranking them 31st out of all NFL teams. They maintain an average of 102.4 yards per game via the rush and have toted the ball for 1,638 yards for the year. The Carolina Panthers average 269.4 yards per outing which ranks them 32nd in the NFL. The Carolina offense has compiled 825 yds of penalties on 100 violations, which ranks 9th in the league in terms of making mistakes. They have thrown 10 picks while allowing opponents to recover 8 fumbles and they have been able to tally 148 1st downs.

They have allowed the opposition 19 touchdowns through the air in addition to 175.1 yards per outing, which has them ranked 3rd in the league. Carolina has yielded a total of 1,968 yards rushing (123.0 yards per game) in addition to 25 touchdowns by way of the ground game this season. Over the course of the season, they have relinquished 407 points in total. They have tallied 11 takeaways (3 fumbles and 8 picks) so far this season. The Panthers defense taken the field for 952 plays, which ranks them 2nd in the league. The Panthers are conceding 25.4 PPG, ranking them 30th in football.

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

Tony's Pick: Take the Buccaneers -5.5

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