NFL Week 10: Panthers vs. Buccaneers odds, pick, and preview

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire)

November 11th, 2020

Just a week ago, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looked like the best team in the NFC. Led by Tom Brady and anchored by arguably the best defense in the NFL, the Bucs looked poised to control the NFC South and make a run at the No. 1 seed.

Things sure turn fast in the NFL.

After a 38-3 dismantling at home to the New Orleans Saints, the Bucs must now regroup for a brutal stretch on the road at Carolina, at home against the Rams, and at home against the Chiefs. They sit at 6-3 (4-5 against the spread), so this will be a crucial stretch in the drive for postseason positioning.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers

Tampa Bay is sliding

After blowout wins against the Packers and Raiders, the Bucs have looked bad. They barely defeated the New York Giants and weren’t competitive against the Saints.

Brady's production has dropped, and the Bucs suffered injuries to linebacker Lavonte David and guard Ali Marpet against the Saints.

David is a known commodity, and while there is still plenty of talent on the Tampa defense and he is expected to recover quickly from a hyperextended knee, the speedy linebacker will be missed as the team’s second leading tackler.

Better late than never, Lavonte David is finally being recognized as a top Linebacker in Football. He has everything you'd want at the position and it was on full display versus the Chargers on Sunday. #Bucsfilm2020wk4 pic.twitter.com/VMMkAHWG00
— Steven Cheah (@StevenCheah) October 7, 2020

Carolina has been competitive all season

The Panthers have been in almost every game from start to finish, but they've only been able to win three games (although they are 5-4 against the spread).

They narrowly lost to the league-leading Kansas City Chiefs last week and came away with a new injury to star running back Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey injured his shoulder against the Chiefs and is questionable Sunday.

If McCaffrey is unable to go, the Panthers will again call on Mike Davis, who has averaged more yards per rush this year (4.2) than McCaffrey (3.8).

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Mike Davis is a MUST ADD if available, as he'd be a top 8 RB in Week 10 if CMC is out 💰

Watch on @CBSSportsHQ: https://t.co/wHLWc3ETok pic.twitter.com/yLbDruFwzn
— Fantasy Football Today (@FFToday) November 10, 2020

The Panthers outperformed the Buccaneers in their first game of the season, even though they lost, 31-17. Carolina racked up 427 yards to Tampa Bay’s 339 and controlled the clock with a nearly 10-minute advantage in time of possession

Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers trends

Four turnovers ultimately doomed the Panthers in their first meeting, but they are an excellent bet and have covered their last five games as an underdog. The Bucs are 1-4 in their last five games as a favorite.

I like the Panthers to redeem their Week 2 loss with an outright win against the struggling Bucs.

Score Prediction: Panthers 28, Bucs 24

Pick: Panthers +5

Check out all the NFL matchups this week at BetAmerica!

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