Panthers at Buccaneers Betting Preview: Panthers (+9/-110), Buccaneers (-9/-110)
Carolina Panthers
To pull the upset in Florida, the Panthers are going to need perfect protection for Teddy Bridgewater and a few big plays from the NFL’s youngest defense. Four rookies start for the Panthers’ D, and they’ll all get their first live look at a Hall of Fame quarterback Sunday.
The Panthers stayed with the Raiders last week but will need more downfield looks to keep the Buccaneers honest on the back end of the defense.
Christian McCaffrey scored twice in Week 1 and figures to be the focus of the Tampa defense.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It will take repetition for Tom Brady and offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich to get on the same page. They weren’t there last week in New Orleans. Brady never found his consistent rhythm and the antidote for another angry postgame finger-pointing session is picking up the pace.
The Buccaneers have the personnel to spread the Panthers out and either run or pass with multiple tight end sets, even if Chris Godwin (concussion) isn’t cleared for Week 2.
Tampa expects Mike Evans back on the field but he made little impact last week due to a hamstring injury.
Panthers at Buccaneers Betting Pick for September 20, 2020
Carolina’s young defense is no match for Brady. But the Panthers are devising ways to get the ball to McCaffrey in space and can hit the Bucs’ defense in the same ways the Saints did with Alvin Kamara to have a chance in the fourth quarter.
Panthers at Buccaneers Betting Pick:
Buccaneers 31, Panthers 23
Panthers at Buccaneers Best Bet for Sept. 20, 2020
Scott Miller appears to be the new third-down outlet for Brady. With Godwin’s status unclear Miller got even more work with the starters this week. On Sunday, he gets in the endzone.
Panthers at Buccaneers Best Bet: Scott Miller anytime touchdown (+410)
–Field Level Media
