Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Bucs, 11/4/18 Week 9 Predictions

Panthers vs. Bucs Spread Prediction

NFC South rivals clash in Charlotte on Sunday when the Panthers host the Bucs at 1:00 p.m. ET. Will Cam Newton and Co. stay unbeaten at home and cover the spread in the process or will Ryan Fitzpatrick lead the Bucs to an upset?

Game Snapshot

457 Tampa Bay Bucs at 458 Carolina Panthers

1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, November 4

Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Public Betting Trends

According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetNow.eu, the Panthers are 6.5-point favorites to beat the Bucs. The total, meanwhile, sits at 55 points. As of this writing, 56% of the public betting tickets are on the Panthers to cover the point spread.

Tampa Bay Bucs

Buccaneers DT Gerald McCoy (calf) returned to practice on Friday. As did DE Vinny Curry (ankle). It's significant progress for both, who were missing from practice on Thursday. The Bucs haven't had either over the last two games and were unable to persevere against Joe Mixon (21/123/2) because of it. It'll be a massive upgrade if both are able to go Sunday against Christian McCaffrey and Cam Newton.

Carolina Panthers

Torrey Smith (knee) is out for Week 9 against the Bucs. Fire up your D.J. Moore shares. Moore is again expected to start after playing a season-high 70% of the snaps last week against the Ravens and piling up 129 yards on seven first-half touches before the Panthers sat on the ball in the second half. The Bucs are No. 32 in points allowed to wideouts.

NFL Betting Trends

Tampa Bay

The Bucs are 4-1 against the spread in their last five divisional games and 18-7-1 ATS in their last 26 games played in the month of November.

Carolina

The Panthers have covered the number in seven of their last nine home games but are just 1-4 ATS in their last five games versus the NFC South.

Prediction

Fitzpatrick has had the hot hand several times this season for the Bucs, including in upset wins over the Saints and Eagles, and nearly a come-from-behind victory a week ago in Cincinnati. That said, he’s also had his fair share of bad moments, including a dreadful first half against the Steelers earlier this season, as well as a complete meltdown in Chicago. The Panthers are hot, they’re the better team, and they have the better defense. Fitz may keep the Bucs in it for a half but I see their defense wilting in the final two quarters and Carolina cashing for bettors.

NFL Week 9 Prediction: Carolina Panthers -6.5