Bucs at Panthers Highlights Sunday’s NFC South Action
The New Orleans Saints still have some huge games left on the schedule. None bigger than Monday’s game at Seattle.
Two hot teams will get together in the NFC South today as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers bring a three game win streak to face the Carolina Panthers, winners of seven straight. During this seven game streak the Panthers have emerged as a Super Bowl contender out of the NFC. They have some impressive wins of late over the San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins. All of them were close until the end and the Panthers, led by their superstar quarterback Cam Newton and their defensive star Luke Kuechly have made the big plays to win those games.
The Bucs on the other hand got off to a dreadful 0-8 start. They released the starting quarterback Josh Freeman after the first four games and inserted rookie Mike Glennon. He and the Bucs have been getting better every week since then. Four weeks ago, the Bucs nearly pulled off the impossible, a road win over the Seattle Seahawks. Tampa Bay had a 21-0 lead in that one before losing in overtime to Seattle. They have not lost since. First they beat the Dolphins and the Atlanta Falcons at home and then last week got a rather impressive road win over the NFC North leaders, the Detroit Lions. Don’t expect them to roll over for Cam and the Panthers.
On Monday, we have another huge game involving the leaders of the NFC South and NFC West as the New Orleans Saints take on the Seahawks in Seattle. No one can remember the last time the 10-1 Seahawks lost a home game. It certainly wasn’t this year as they have gotten out to a 10-1 mark. The Saints are also a team that is nearly unbeatable at home. Their 9-2 record includes two road losses, one to the Patriots and one to the New York Jets.
This game may decide which team has the home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs which is a decided advantage for both teams. Is it a stretch to say the winner of this game will go on to the Super Bowl? Maybe. After all, there is a lot of football left to be played. But we may look back on Super Bowl week and discover that Monday night’s game had a huge impact. Of course, Cam and the Panthers will have something to say no matter who wins on Monday.
Sportsbetting has the odds on Sunday’s game and also Monday night’s game:
Tampa Bay at Carolina– The Bucs are +7 -110 and the Panthers are -7 -110 ATS. Moneyline is Tampa Bay +270 and Carolina -325. Over/Under is 41 with over and under both -110. We like Tampa Bay +7 -110 and the under -110. The Panthers have an excellent defense and their offense is getting better, but they seem to play game very close.
New Orleans at Seattle– The Saints are +5 -110 and the Seahawks are -5 -110 ATS. Moneyline is New Orleans +195 and Seattle -225. Over/Under is 47 with over and under both -110. We are going to take the Saints +5 in this one and perhaps even a small wager on New Orleans +195 to win outright. The Seahawks have to lose a home game at some point. If the Bucs can go there and nearly pull it off, then the Saints should be capable of doing the same. We will also take the over as it will take a huge game from Drew Brees to do this.
