Buccaneers at Panthers: Odds, trends and more

Jan 3, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) is tackled by Carolina Panthers linebacker Ben Jacobs (53) in the fourth quarter. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 38-10 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) is tackled by Carolina Panthers linebacker Ben Jacobs (53) in the fourth quarter. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 38-10 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Carolina Panthers will host their NFC South rival in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football. Here are the betting odds and trends to know.

The Carolina Panthers will play their NFC South rival in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football in Week 5. Kickoff from Bank of America Stadium on Monday, October 10th will be at 8:30 PM ET. ESPN will have the telecast.

Tampa Bay has lost its last three games to fall to 1-3 on the year. The Buccaneers beat the NFC South division leader Atlanta Falcons by a touchdown in Week 1, but haven’t gotten into the win column since. Tampa Bay has lost to the Arizona Cardinals, the Los Angeles Rams, and the Denver Broncos.

Carolina hasn’t fared well either in 2016. The Panthers are 1-3 on the season with losses to the Broncos, the Minnesota Vikings, and the Falcons. Their only win came over the lowly San Francisco 49ers in Week 2.

According to OddsShark.com, the Panthers will be laying 6.5 points at home to the Buccaneers. Keep in mind this is the opening line and Carolina doesn’t know if starting quarterback Cam Newton will play on Monday. The associated moneylines are Carolina -303 and Tampa Bay +248. The over/under still hasn’t been released.

Odds

Point Spread: Carolina -6.5

Moneylines: Carolina -303, Tampa Bay +248

Over/Under: ???

Since Newton missed Panthers practices on both Wednesday and Thursday, it doesn’t look promising that they’ll clear the NFL’s concussion protocol in time for Monday Night Football.

If he can’t start, take the Buccaneers getting any points. Tampa Bay is a better road team than playing at home for whatever reason. The Buccaneers will have the better quarterback in this game in Jameis Winston. A healthy Winston is better than an injured Newton and certainly better than Carolina backup Derek Anderson.

Even if Newton starts, take the under in this one. Both teams have terrible defenses in the first part of the season, but Carolina’s offensive issues will make it hard for the Panthers to score points. Newton has been erratic, Anderson is good for one awful interception per game, and Carolina is struggling to run the football.

Here are a few trends to keep in mind with Tampa Bay entering Week 5: 1.) Tampa Bay is 1-7 straight up and against the spread in their last eight games. 2.) The Buccaneers are 5-10 against the spread in their last 15 games in Charlotte. 3.) The point total has gone under in 11 of the Buccaneers’ last 16 road games against the Panthers.

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Here are some trends to know about the Panthers entering Week 5: 1.) Carolina is 1-4 against the spread in its last five games. 2.) The Panthers are 14-1 straight up in their last 15 home games. 3.) Carolina has won five straight against the Buccaneers.