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Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL Odds & Picks

Written by Jimmy Boyd on October 14, 2009

panthers bucs 101409 The Carolina Panthers head to Raymond James Stadium to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Sunday in a Week 6 NFC South showdown. The Panthers are coming off their first win of the season, a 20-17 victory over the Redskins, while the Bucs fell to 0-5 with a 33-14 loss to Philadelphia. These teams last met in Week 14 of last season with the Panthers winning 38-23 behind a franchise record 299 rushing yards. These two teams have split each of the last four meetings but the Panthers hold a 10-7 lead in the all-time series. The books have listed the Carolina Panthers as a 3-point favorite with the total set at 39.5.

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Panthers QB Jake Delhomme boasts an 8-2 record in 10 career starts against Tampa Bay and the key to him improving on that mark is likely the production of running back DeAngelo Williams. Last season, Williams ran for 1,515 yards and 20 touchdowns. So far this season, he has rushed for only 220 yards (3.7 yards per carry) and two touchdowns. He is yet to have a breakout game but that could be what’s coming this week. Williams ran for a career high 186 yards against the Bucs last season and they are allowing a 4.7 yards per carry average for 153 yards per game on the ground this year.

Defensively, Julius Peppers is going to have to be an active playmaker for the Panthers to stay in the win column. Through the first three weeks, he managed only one sack. Last week, we finally saw the Mr. Peppers we are used to when he tallied two sacks and helped force a safety. His pressure will be a key against mobile QB Josh Johnson. It is worth noting that the Panthers are 5-0 against the spread in their last five games as a road favorite. If you like Carolina to pick up its second win of the season and cover the spread in the process, bet the Panthers at -3 at Bookmaker.

We knew this would be a rebuilding year for the Bucs, but I’m not sure anyone knew it would be this steep of a drop off. Head coach Raheem Morris appears filled with energy on the sideline, giving his players chest bumps and such, but the reality is that the Bucs have dropped four of their five losses by at least 13 points. The more the losses mount, the more difficult it is going to be for Morris to keep his players’ focus.

A former Giant could be the key to a Bucs win this week. When running back Derrick Ward was still with New York, he posted a career high 215-yard rushing performance against the Panthers. What’s even more amazing is that he did it on just 15 totes for a 14.3 yards per carry average. He obviously doesn’t have the same offensive line working in his favor, but he is averaging a respectable 4.2 yards per carry this season, and he’s sure to have plenty of confidence on his side against a defense he torched.

Look for an increase in the use of tight end Kellen Winslow as well. Winslow had his fist 100-yard game for the Bucs last week, racking up 102 yards on nine catches with two of them going for touchdowns. It is worth noting that the Panthers are 0-5 against the spread in their last five games. If you think Tampa Bay has what it takes to get in the win column this week, bet the Buccaneers at +3 at Bookmaker.

Score big this Sunday with expert football picks from world champion handicapper Jimmy Boyd!

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