The top two NFC South contenders square off tonight for some Monday Night Football. The Carolina Panthers have one loss in their last six games, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have won four straight games. The Carolina Panthers (9-3) host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-3), at Bank of America Stadium for some hard hitting MNF. The Bucs won their last game against the Panthers 27-3 at home in Week 6. NFL oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com have the Panthers as -3 point home favs over the Bucs with the over/under set at 38 ½ points. Get your Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Monday Night Football Pick in now at Sportsbook.com
The Bucs beat the Saints 23-20 at home in Week 13. QB Jeff Garcia made just nine of 23 passes for 119 yards with one touchdown pass and no interceptions; he has eight touchdown passes for 1,903 yards with three interceptions in nine starts. Their top rusher on the day was RB Warrick Dunn with 22 carries for 74 yards, while RB Carnell Williams added a touchdown. Their top receiver on the day was WR Antonio Bryant with three catches for 63 yards with one touchdown. The Bucs are averaging 23.3 ppg and they give up an average 16.7 ppg. On the road they are 3-3 SU where they average 22.8 ppg and they give up an average 20.7 ppg. Their overall offense is ranked 12th in the league averaging 335 yards a game, thanks to their 13th ranked passing game that’s good for 217 yards per-game. Their running game sits ranked 11th in the league averaging 118 yards a game. RB Earnest Graham leads the Bucs with four touchdowns. Their overall defense is ranked 4th best in the league allowing 279 yards per-game, thanks to their fourth ranked pass defense that allows 184 yards a game, they are good against the rush with a 11th ranked rush defense that gives up an average 95 yards per-game. The Bucs are 7-5 ATS and 5-7 over/under.
Bucs Injuries: DE Gaines Adams and DE Jovan Haye are listed as questionable for tonight.
The Panthers beat the Packers 35-31 on the road in Week 13. QB Jake Delhomme made just 12 of 17 passes for 177 yards with no touchdown passes and no interceptions; he has 12 touchdown passes for 2,423 yards and nine interceptions in 12 starts. Their top rusher on the day was RB DeAngelo Williams with 21 carries for 72 yards with four touchdowns. Their top receiver on the day was WR Steve Smith with four catches for 105 yards. The Panthers are averaging 23.8 ppg and they give up an average 19.2 ppg. At home they are 6-0 SU where they average 27.7 ppg and they give up an average 13 ppg. Their overall offense is ranked 17th in the league averaging 325 yards a game, while their 22nd ranked passing game is good for 192 yards per-game. Their running game sits ranked 7th best in the league averaging 133 yards a game. RB DeAngelo Williams leads the Panthers with 13 touchdowns. Their overall defense is ranked 12th best in the league allowing 313 yards allowed, while their 11th ranked pass defense allows 200 yards a game, they are average against the rush with a 19th ranked rush defense that gives up an average 112 yards per-game. The Panthers are 6-5-1 ATS and 5-7 over/under.
Panthers Injuries: RB Jonathan Stewart – questionable, LB Hilee Taylor and LB Adam Seward – doubtful
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Carolina.
- Under is 11-5 in the last 16 meetings.
- Underdog is 8-3 ATS in their last 11 meetings.
- Buccaneers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
- Buccaneers are 5-2 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
- Buccaneers are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 vs. NFC South.
- Panthers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a S.U. win.
Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Monday Night Football Pick
When: Monday, Dec 8, 2008 8:15 PM ET
Line: Sportsbook.com
Pick: Bucs +3
Point-Spreads.com Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Monday Night Football Pick
The Bottom Line: If the Bucs defense can stop the Panthers running game they’ll get the win. The Panthers don’t have much of a passing game, while the Bucs do. Go Bucs! Get your Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Monday Night Football Pick in now at Sportsbook.com and receive a 10% sign-up bonus on your initial deposit!
