What looks like a lackluster billing on paper between two teams under .500 just happens to be a critical divisional matchup over in the underachieving NFC South. The upcoming battle between the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will likely decide the eventual division champion. Will Tampa Bay be able to secure the NFC South title this week, or will Carolina force the Bucs to fight for the throne in the final week of the regular season?

Nitrobetting is ready to equip its bettors with the latest news, NFL odds, and special features for the entire duration of the 2022 NFL season. This time, let’s take a closer look at the upcoming week 17 clash between the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Panthers vs. Buccaneers Game Information

'Tis the season for a W ????????#GoBucs pic.twitter.com/Ua44JZZA8l

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 27, 2022

• When: Sunday, January 1, 2023, 1:00 PM ET
• Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, FL
• TV: FOX
• Radio: WRFX 99.7 The FOX (Panthers) // WXTB 97.9 FM (Buccaneers)
• Live Stream: NFL Game Pass
• NFL Odds: Panthers (+3) // Buccaneers (-3)

READ MORE: Vikings vs. Packers 2022 NFL Week 17 Odds, Preview & Pick

Why Bet on the Carolina Panthers?

Let’s not count the Carolina Panthers out just yet, as they won their third game in four weeks after Week 16’s 37-23 blowout of the Detroit Lions. Carolina needs to win their upcoming clash against the Buccaneers not only to retain the tiebreaking edge by sweeping them this season but to also prevent the Bucs from winning the division outright in Week 17.

Head coach Steve Wilks has done a tremendous job of catering to his team’s strengths. This past weekend, the Panthers gashed the Lions on the ground for a whopping total of 320 rushing yards behind the two-headed backfield of young studs D’Onta Foreman (165 rushing yards) and Chuba Hubbard (125). Sam Darnold also had an error-free start under center, finishing with 250 passing yards and a touchdown strike to top wideout D.J. Moore.

Considering that Detroit is one of the league’s better offenses, the Panthers also did relatively well limiting the Lions to just 23 points. However, their 15 forced turnovers are the fourth-fewest in the league. Carolina needs to generate pressure against the Bucs’ offense to limit Tampa Bay’s attack, which has admittedly been shaky of late to the Panthers’ benefit.

Why Bet on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?

On the bright side, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers snapped their two-game skid with their 19-16 victory over the Arizona Cardinals this past weekend. On the other hand, Tampa Bay needed overtime to dispatch a four-win Cards team that played without its starting quarterback.

Something is still off about Tom Brady’s game, as the all-time great threw for 281 passing yards and a touchdown whilst also getting picked off twice by a mediocre Arizona secondary. Thankfully, head coach Todd Bowles decided to run the ball more often to aid Brady and the passing game. Leonard Fournette had 20 carries for 72 rushing yards; his first game with over 60 yards on the ground since Week 6 and just the fourth time all season.

While the offense is humming along just fine of late, the Buccaneers’ defense is also slowly returning to its Super Bowl-winning form from the past couple of seasons. They rank eighth in sacks (41) and tied for seventh with the Broncos in points allowed (20.3 PAPG). The Bucs’ success in the Brady era is also known for its stellar stop unit and they need to avenge their Week 7 loss to the Panthers after the offense generated just a mere field goal in the first meeting.

Panthers vs. Buccaneers Betting Trends

• The Panthers are 1-5 on the road this season (3-3 ATS).
• The Panthers are 2-6 in the last eight meetings against Tampa Bay (SU/ATS).
• The totals went over in three of Carolina’s last four road games.
• The Buccaneers are 4-3 at home this season (1-5-1 ATS).
• The Bucs are 5-1 against teams from their division this season (3-3 ATS), with their lone loss to an NFC South rival coming against Carolina.
• The totals went under in five of Tampa Bay’s last eight games in general.

Panthers vs. Buccaneers Expert Betting Predictions

As inspiring as Carolina’s undying will has been by sticking around in the playoff conversation, Brady at home with a postseason berth on the line is a massive hurdle for the Panthers to overcome. That being said, this is the Buccaneers’ best chance to prove that they’re still to be feared in the NFC playoff picture and they’ll likely seal the deal with another narrow, late-minute victory that barely covers the slim spread.

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*All stated odds are subject to change without prior notice.