Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Prediction: Disappointing Panthers won’t matchup

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers are set to face off in NFL action this Sunday at Bank of America Stadium. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had their four-game winning streak halted by the New Orleans Saints in their last game, bringing their season record to 8-8. On the other hand, the Carolina Panthers have struggled this season with a 2-14 record, most recently experiencing a shutout loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Now, let's delve into a comprehensive match preview and make a prediction for this upcoming game.

The Carolina Panthers have managed only two wins this year, securing victories against the Houston Texans and the Atlanta Falcons. However, they are currently grappling with consecutive losses to the Green Bay Packers and the Jacksonville Jaguars. A significant part of their struggle lies in their inability to score, with an average of just 14.8 points per game and a total of 23 touchdowns, while their defense has allowed 49 touchdowns.

In their recent loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Panthers faced a shutout, giving up points in all four quarters and failing to score themselves in a 26-0 defeat. Quarterback Bryce Young threw for just 112 yards and an interception, while running back Chuba Hubbard managed 45 yards rushing. The leading receiver in the game was Adam Thielen with 38 yards from six receptions.

As they prepare for the upcoming match, the Carolina Panthers have shown some resilience at home, winning four of their last five games as underdogs against NFC South opponents. Additionally, the home team has covered the spread in each of the Panthers' last four games.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a challenging start to the year with a 4-7 record, but they have shown improvement with a 4-1 run in their last five games. During this stretch, they secured victories against the Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, and Jacksonville Jaguars. The Buccaneers are currently averaging 21.2 points per game, with 231.1 yards per game and 28 touchdowns (accompanied by 10 interceptions) through the air.

In their recent matchup against the New Orleans Saints, the Buccaneers found themselves trailing 20-0 by the fourth quarter, ultimately losing 23-13. Baker Mayfield contributed 309 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, while Rachaad White led the rushing attack with 42 yards on 11 carries.

As they enter this upcoming matchup, underdogs have emerged victorious in each of the Buccaneers' last four games. Additionally, the Buccaneers have covered the spread in seven of their last eight road games, showcasing their effectiveness on the road.

I'll stick with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in this matchup, although it won't be an easy task for them. The Buccaneers need to bounce back from their tough loss to the New Orleans Saints, where they only managed 13 first downs and 349 total yards (292 passing). The four turnovers further complicated their performance. Prior to this loss, the Buccaneers had scored 29 or more points in three straight games, and they have a good chance of reaching that mark again on Sunday.

In contrast, the Carolina Panthers didn't have many positives in their recent loss, securing just seven first downs and 124 total yards (67 passing) in a shutout. They've struggled to score, reaching 18 or fewer points in nine of their last 10 games. The last time these teams met, the Panthers lost 21-18, and I believe this time the margin of victory for the Buccaneers will be even more significant.