Bucs vs. Panthers Week 2 Prediction
The Panthers are listed as home favorites over the Bucs when the NFC South rivals battle on Thursday Night Football at 8:20 p.m. ET. Is the smart money on the Bucs to cover or will the Panthers win comfortably?
Game Snapshot
101 Tampa Bay Bucs (+6.5) at 102 Carolina Panthers (-6.5); O/U 49
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 71% of the betting tickets from online sportsbooks as a 7-point home favorite versus the Bucs on Thursday night.
Tampa Bay Bucs Fantasy Spin
Speaking Tuesday, Bucs coach Bruce Arians said Peyton Barber remains the team’s starting running back. Ronald Jones severely out-produced Barber against the 49ers, but Barber still played more snaps and saw more targets. Third-down back Dare Ogunbowale also received more snaps and targets. Arians is going to make Jones prove himself over an extended sample size following his dreadful rookie year. Be that as it may, Jones is the only Bucs back with any fantasy juice whatsoever for Thursday’s game against the Panthers.
Carolina Panthers Fantasy Spin
Greg Olsen (back) said he “plans” to suit up for Thursday’s game against the Bucs, but that the short week is “not ideal.” In other words, it’s not a guarantee he’s out there. Olsen missed Monday and Tuesday’s practices and might get in zero reps before Thursday. The 34-year-old caught four balls for 36 yards in Sunday’s season-opening loss. He’ll be a high-end TE2 if he can get out there vs. the Bucs. Ian Thomas is the next man up.
NFL Betting Trends
Tampa Bay
The Bucs are 3-1-1 against the spread in their last five road games and are 5-2-1 against the number in their last eight games overall.
Carolina
The Panthers are 2-7 against the number in their last nine games overall.
Prediction
Cam Newton looked healthy but was inaccurate against the Rams and didn’t run much (three carries for negative two years). If it weren’t for Christian McCaffrey and his 209 total yards, the Rams probably run away with the game. Meanwhile, Jameis Winston was horrendous against the 49ers, throwing for just 194 yards with one touchdown and three picks. That said, Winston has always been an erratic player and with this game expected to be a shootout, I see vale in the underdog. Speaking of which, the under is 5-1 against the spread in the last six meetings between these two teams. The road squad has also covered in seven of the previous 10 meetings between these rivals.
NFL Week 2 Prediction: Tampa Bay Bucs +6.5