Week 5 of the NFL season concludes with a divisional battle in the Monday Night Football when the Carolina Panthers host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in an all-NFC South clash. With Atlanta blazing a trail at the top of the division it is important for both these sides to win this one to keep close order.
Both sides head into the match with 1-3 records for the campaign and defeat could end any hopes of the playoffs before they have begun. That should make for a competitive match for us to watch.
Carolina Panthers
After bursting to the Super Bowl in fine style it has been a fairly low key start for the Panthers so far this season. The obvious reason for that is their defence hasn’t been anything like as solid as it was last year. Josh Norman is a big loss in the backfield and they haven’t really found a way to cope without him. If they can tighten up there is still enough attacking point in them to be extremely competitive.
They will have to be competitive without Cam Newton for this match as the star quarterback is out with an injury. Derek Anderson will act as the back up quarterback but he is more than just a back up so I’m not expecting the Panthers to be as bad as some we’ve seen who have used their second string.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Defence has been an issue for the Buccaneers this season too having shipped at least 24pts in each of their four matches. Getting to the quarterback is becoming a concern with niggles affecting a number of their defensive line and with no pressure on the quarterback in this league you are asking for trouble.
Establishing a running game could be another issue for the Bucs with both Doug Martin and Charles Sims both listed as doubtful. If those two don’t make it then it will either be a case of relying on Jacquizz Rodgers or needing Jameis Winston to start delivering through the air. This might be the defence to feast an aerial attack on though with this Carolina secondary all over the place.
Betting
The spread for this match is at a line where I wouldn’t trust either side so I’m going to go for the total points here. Neither side are showing much sign of keeping the opponent out so there is a chance that one of them could run up plenty of points and near enough cover a 45pt line on their own.
I’m expecting plenty of passing in this match with both sides potentially being without a significant part of their running game so that too should ensure plenty of points. Tampa Bay have already been involved in a 37-32 defeat this season while Carolina lost 48-33 to Atlanta last week. Both matches last season between these two had more than 45pts in them and the signs are there that this one will too.
Tips
Back Over 45pts for a 4/10 stake at 1.91 with Coral
Back it here:
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2016
