“There’s not a lot of faith in you out there in the business community.” So said Grama in reference to buying up Worm’s debt at 30 cents on the dollar in 1998’s poker cult classic, Rounders. The same could be said of the Carolina Panthers this week as they prepare to take on Tom Brady and the Buccaneers in Tampa.
Oddsmakers at BetMGM currently have the Bucs as nine-point favorites over the Panthers for Sunday’s game. Pretty much everybody else is picking against Carolina, as well. Here is a review of this week’s expert picks.
ESPN: Buccaneers
All 10 of ESPN’s experts are going with Tampa.
USA Today: Buccaneers
Another sweep here as the whole panel at USA Today Sports went with the Buccaneers.
MMQB: Buccaneers
All six MMQB experts picked the Bucs.
CBS Sports: Buccaneers
Will Brinson at CBS Sports also has the Bucs winning, 35-25.
Sporting News: Buccaneers
Tadd Haislop at Sporting News is predicting a very similar score with Tampa on top, 35-24.
Yahoo Sports: Panthers
Frank Schwab of Yahoo Sports seems to be the lone voice of dissent picking Carolina this week.
NFL.com: Buccaneers
Gregg Rosenthal has Tampa by a touchdown, 30-23.
Despite the lopsidedness on display here, we would be surprised if this is a blowout. It’s a division game afterall and both teams need a victory to avoid the dreaded 0-2 start.
That said, the Panthers are severely outgunned here and playing on the road against a quarterback who’s always been at his most potent after a loss. Buccaners 33, Panthers 27.
