Panthers vs. Bucs Free Pick
TAMPA, FL (The Spread) – Will the Bucs cover as a slight favorite over their NFC South rivals the Panthers today at 4:25PM ET?
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetDSI, the Buccaneers are 2-point home favorites over the visiting Panthers, while the over/under total is currently sitting at 39 points. Carolina did opened as a 2.5-point road favorite but the line has been bet down, while the total opened at 44 before being bet down a full five points.
The Panthers are led by an outstanding defensive front seven and a solid running game, but they have major question marks along the offensive line, receiver and secondary. Cam Newton is also coming off ankle surgery and suffered a ribs injury in preseason so the passing game is a complete wildcard. At least rookie receiver Kelvin Benjamin had a great preseason and looks ready to contribute in his first year.
The Bucs will have several new faces on their sidelines for Week 1, including head coach Lovie Smith. The team also added Michael Johnson, Alterraun Verner, Logan Mankins and Anthony Collins in the offseason, as well as rookies Mike Evans and Austin Seferian-Jenkins. If the newly built offensive line can hold up, then the Bucs should contend in a tough NFC South. At the very least, Smith should bring stability to a team that fell apart quickly under former coach Greg Schiano.
NFL FREE PICK: Take Tampa Bay. According to latest NFL trends, the favorite is 6-1 against the spread in the last seven meetings between these two teams. The Panthers, meanwhile, are 5-11 against the spread in their last 16 games in September, 1-3-1 ATS in their last five games overall and haven’t covered a point spread in their last five tries in Week 1. Carolina is going to take a huge step back this year and it starts today in Tampa.
2014 NFL WEEK 1 FREE PICK: TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS -2
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