NFL Week 1 and we will see the Carolina Panthers travel to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The game has a start time of 4:25 pm (Eastern) and will be televised on FOX. Current Vegas odds have the Buccaneers listed as 3 point favorites, while the total is set at 38.
Analysis: The Panthers come into the year as the defending NFC South champions, after going 12 last year. They lost to the niners in the playoffs and it looks as if this team will be hard pressed to make the playoffs again this year. The Panthers do have the ever entertaining Cam Newton at QB, but he is banged up right now with so hurt ribs and other than him there are not a whole lot of options in on the offensive side of the ball. The Panthers really didn't help him get some decent skill position players in the offseason and that will really hurt them on the scoreboard. The defense though is very stout though with perhaps the best front 7 in the league.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are off a miserable 4-12 season last year, which prompted the firing of Greg Schiano. In steps Lovie Smith and by the looks of this he has already changed the atmosphere to the good around the Tampa locker room. The offense last year was the worst in the league, as they averaged just 277 ypg and 18 ppg on the season. That will not get it done in today's NFL. This year they hope to rectify that, but that will not be easy as they are weak at QB, very weak on the OL and rather average at the WR position. They do have RB Doug Martin but he can't do it on his own. The defense looks very good for the Bucs and that can be expected with the defensive minded Lovie Smith running the show.
Pick: Both teams have issues on the offensive side of the ball as the Panthers have Cam Newton, but he is banged up and even if he wasn't, who was he gonna get the ball to, while on the other side we have a Tampa offense that has decent skill players, but no one to get them the ball. Both teams should have to rely on their run games to move the ball in this one. on the other side of the ball both teams appear very solid. The Panthers had the 2nd best defense in the league and this year come in with what may be the best from 7 in the league and will be a Tampa offense that has one of the weakest OLs in the league. Tampa Bay was very average on defense last year, but they also come in with a very stout and will be going up against a weak OL. Very hard to see these teams generating much offense in this one.
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NFL Free Picks: Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Betting
What pro football bettors need to know about betting Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday (9/07/14) - a free pick from Pregame.com's Steve Fezzik with added insight from Scott Spreitzer.