Panthers Game Sunday: Panthers at Bucs odds and prediction for NFL Week 18 game

A disappointing 2021 season for the Carolina Panthers officially draws to a close in Week 18 with a tricky trip to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This is something fans have been looking forward to for a long time and it’ll be interesting to see just what transpires within the organization between now and when it’s time for competitive action to start once again next time around.

Sunday’s defeat at the New Orleans Saints leaves Carolina at 5-11 on the season. Pressure on head coach Matt Rhule is obviously growing at a rapid rate, but many reporters in the know believe that team owner David Tepper – although embarrassed by the contract given to the former Baylor man – will let him have a third year despite the growing unrest.

Carolina brings the curtain down on their campaign against the defending Super Bowl champions, who routed the Panthers when the two sides met in Week 16. That’s in spite of missing several key figures on offense at Bank of America Stadium for what could be Cam Newton’s final game as the starter.

Bruce Arians’ men will be keen to generate some additional momentum heading into the postseason. So it’s going to be a monumental task for Rhule and his players before they head off on their break.

Panthers at Bucs Odds Week 18

The Week 18 betting odds on WynnBET have the Panthers as 8.0-point underdogs at Raymond James Stadium. They have +315 money line odds, while the Bucs are the favorites at -420.

The total for the game is set at an over/under of 42.5 points, which can be wagered at -110 either way (bet $110 to win $100).

Panthers at Bucs Prediction Week 18

There is no way one could pick Carolina to end their season on a high note. Morale is pretty low across the organization right now and the Buccaneers represent the stiffest of challenges on the road.

Tom Brady won’t accept anything less than perfection. And one only has to look at how much momentum the Buccaneers built up at this stage last season before going on a memorable playoff run that ended with a memorable Super Bowl triumph.

The Panthers are on the flip side of this coin and just how much longer it’s going to take for the team to enter contention is up in the air. Rhule must ensure a drastic turnaround in fortunes this offseason, with no more room for rash decisions and lapses of personnel evaluation.

That’s for the future. For now, the Panthers cannot be trusted and that’s why we are tipping the Bucs to sweep their NFC South divisional rivals by securing a 30-10 victory before the knockout stages commence.

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