The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7) will look to keep their slim postseason hopes alive on Sunday when they welcome the Carolina Panthers (1-10) to Raymond James Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET.
The Buccaneers are 5.5-point favorites at DraftKings Sportsbook, while the total is set at 37.
Panthers vs. Bucs, Week 13: Pick against the spread
Sunday’s game marks the start of a new era for the Panthers, just not in a way anyone associated with the team wanted. On Monday, the team announced it’d fired coach Frank Reich after the team’s 17-10 loss to the Titans in Week 12, with special teams coach Chris Tabor serving as the team’s interim coach. The Panthers’ loss to the Titans was their fourth loss in a row and the fifth straight game in which they scored less than 14 points.
Despite losing four of their last five, the Buccaneers still have an outside shot at the postseason thanks to the ineptitude of the NFC South, as they’re just a game behind the division-leading Saints and Falcons. Baker Mayfield has thrown for more than 2,500 yards and 17 touchdowns this season for the Buccaneers and is coming off a two-touchdown game against the Colts.
The Pick: Buccaneers -5.5
The Buccaneers aren’t a perfect team, but they’re facing off against the Panthers at the perfect time. Not only is Carolina a dumpster fire, but they haven’t been able to do anything worthwhile on offense for nearly a month. The Buccaneers should have no problem taking care of business against the Panthers, and I’d play the Buccaneers up to -7.