Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Odds, Predictions & Key Insights | December 29, 2024

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, clinging to playoff hopes at 8-7, host the 4-11 Carolina Panthers in a pivotal Week 16 matchup. A win keeps Tampa Bay’s postseason dreams alive, while a loss would all but end their season. Meanwhile, the Panthers, already eliminated, aim to play spoiler with nothing to lose.

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2024 NFL Write ups this season 31-28 (-1.13 Units)

Week 17 Recap: 0-2 (-2.3 Units)

Panthers vs Buccaneers Odds

Chuba Hubbard Panthers Giants at Panthers NFL Week 10 Staff Picks prop bet

Can Chuba Hubbard and the Panthers will their way to another win?

All NFL odds are courtesy of BetOnline as of Monday, Dec 27 at 10:30 p.m. ET. Odds from other sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article

Spread

Panthers: +8 (-110)

Buccaneers: -8 (-110)

Total

Over: 49 (-105)

Under: 49 (-115)

Moneyline

Panthers: +320

Buccaneers: -400

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Panthers vs Buccaneers Predictions

The 8-7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the 4-11 Carolina Panthers after a tough Sunday night loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 16. The Buccaneers are fighting for a playoff spot. A win on Sunday would give them a 62% chance of making the playoffs, while a loss would nearly eliminate them, leaving just a 13% chance of securing a berth. Tampa Bay will also need the Commanders to defeat the Falcons on Sunday to bolster their odds.

There is no quit in Tampa Bay.#WeAreTheKrewe pic.twitter.com/PS9oNiCKN0

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 27, 2024

Meanwhile, the Panthers, already eliminated from playoff contention, pose a dangerous challenge. With nothing to lose, they can focus entirely on playing spoiler.

The last meeting between these two teams was in Carolina on December 1st, where the Buccaneers secured a narrow 26-23 victory. Tampa Bay entered that game as 6.5-point favorites. Now back at home, they open as eight-point favorites, though the line has already dropped a point from nine.

The “must-win” narrative is baked into the line, but the Buccaneers are at least ten points better than the Panthers at home. It will be interesting to see if the line drops to the key number of seven. This feels like the week Tampa Bay rebounds from their prime-time loss, channeling their frustration against a Carolina team already looking ahead to the offseason.

The Panthers are coming off a 36-30 overtime victory over Arizona as 5.5-point underdogs in Week 16. Carolina led 20-3 at one point before Arizona stormed back to force overtime tied at 30. Despite two costly turnovers by the Cardinals—a fumble recovered by Carolina leading to a touchdown and an interception by Kyler Murray that ultimately resulted in a punt—Arizona managed to tie the game before giving it away late. Even with these opportunities, the Panthers barely emerged victorious.

This week, the stronger team should prevail over the weaker opponent, regardless of what’s at stake. The classic “get right” versus “letdown” dynamic is fully in play.