Tampa Bay Bucs vs. Carolina Panthers, 9/10/19 Week 2 Predictions

Bucs vs. Panthers TNF Total Prediction

NFC South rivals clash on Thursday Night Football when the Panthers host the Bucs at 8:20 p.m. ET. When it comes to the total, is the under the best play for bettors?

Game Snapshot

101 Tampa Bay Bucs (+7) at 102 Carolina Panthers (-7); O/U 49.5

8:20 p.m. ET, September 12, 2019

Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC

Public Betting Trends

According to our NFL Football Public Betting Chart page, the Panthers are receiving 76% of the betting tickets from online sportsbooks as a 7-point home favorite versus the Bucs on Thursday night.

Tampa Bay Bucs Fantasy Spin

Jameis Winston completed 20-of-36 passes for 194 yards, one touchdown, and three picks in Tampa Bay's Week 1 loss to the 49ers. Atrocious doesn't even begin to cover it as Winston's three ducks (two that were returned for defensive scores) exclude Kwon Alexander's dropped interception in the first half and another that hit a defender directly in the hands inside the two-yard line. Winston's numerous turnovers in camp were attributed to Todd Bowles' defensive scheme, but that clearly wasn't the sole reason after watching his shakiness and inconsistency behind Tampa's o-line Sunday. With a short turnaround scheduled for Thursday night in Carolina, Winston's a (terrifying) QB1 option in 12-team leagues if only for the matchup in what projects as a high-scoring affair. At this rate, it wouldn't be shocking to see him benched by the time the Bucs hit their bye in Week 7.

Carolina Panthers Fantasy Spin

Cam Newton completed 25-of-38 passes for 239 yards and one interception in the Panthers' 30-27, loss to the Rams. Newton had plenty of arm strength early, but he was inaccurate and was limited to three carries for negative two yards rushing. If not for Christian McCaffrey and his 209 total yards and two touchdowns, this game would've been a lot worse. Newton's injury history is concerning, but he's still a high-ceiling fantasy option when he's right. It will be red-alert if Newton struggles as a passer and doesn't run more frequently next week at home against the lowly Tampa Bay Bucs' defense.

NFL Betting Trends

Tampa Bay

The over is 13-4 in the Bucs’ last 17 road games and is 5-2 in their last seven games versus the rest of the NFC South.

Carolina

The over is 6-2 in the Panthers’ last eight home games and is 4-1 in their last five games when playing on Thursday night.

Prediction

Assuming Winston doesn’t start throwing pick-sixes again this week – and there’s no guarantee of that – I like the under. I expect Gerald McCoy to play well against his former team and the combination of him and Kawann Short should stifle whatever running game Tampa brings to the table. As he showed again last Sunday, Newton remains inconsistent as a passer and the Panthers’ best bet to win games might be to keep the ball on the ground with both their quarterback and Christian McCaffrey. I know the Bucs defense could rank in the bottom 5 of the league again this season but this total is way too high for these two teams. The under has cashed in five of the previous six meetings between these two teams and is 13-6 in the last 19 meetings in Charlotte.

NFL Week 2 Prediction: Bucs/Panthers UNDER 49.5