Panthers vs. Bucs NFL Week 1 Odds
TAMPA, FL (The Spread) – NFC South rivals clash in Tampa this Sunday when the Buccaneers host the Panthers at 4:25PM ET.
CAROLINA: The Panthers’ defense remains a massive question mark but it should be improved, specifically the run defense after the team invested its first round pick in Luke Kuechly. The offense is where this team will make its bones. Cam Newton is coming off a fantastic season and is surrounded by weapons, including Jonathan Stewart, Steve Smith, DeAngelo Williams and Greg Olson. If Newton can outscore teams, the Panthers could challenge for a postseason berth if a couple things break their way.
TAMPA BAY: The Bucs have a new head coach in Greg Schiano, who is trying to instill more toughness in this Tampa team after things deteriorated last year under Raheem Morris. Thanks to the addition of first-rounder Doug Martin, the running game will be better and signing free agents Carl Nicks and Vincent Jackson will also help the offense. Josh Freeman has to be better than he was a year ago and the front seven is a concern, but the Bucs are going to be an improved team from a year ago.
ODDS: The Panthers opened as a 3-point favorite but the line is now down to 1, even though 78% of the betting public favors Carolina. The total is currently sitting at 46.5 for this game.
TRENDS: The favorite is 8-1 against the spread in their last nine meetings between these two teams while the Panthers are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games versus the Buccaneers. The over is also 7-1 in the last eight meetings between these two teams in Tampa Bay and 5-2 in the last seven meetings overall.
Want More From TheSpread.com? Follow us on Twitter and Facebook or Subscribe to Our News Feeds!