Buccaneers vs. Panthers prediction, odds, line, unfold: NFL Week 18 Saturday picks by confirmed mannequin

The NFL Week 18 Saturday matchup between the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers will go a good distance in figuring out who wins the NFC South and earns a playoff berth. Carolina (8-8) faces a win-and-in situation, whereas Tampa (7-9) should win to have a shot on the postseason. The Bucs want a win and an Atlanta loss to New Orleans on Sunday to clinch a postseason spot and the NFC’s No. 4 seed. Each groups are coming off Week 17 losses, whereas the Bucs have dropped 4 in a row total, together with a loss to the Panthers in Week 16. Beginning cornerback Jamel Dean (shoulder) has been dominated out for Tampa Bay. Linebacker Claudin Cherelus (calf/ankle) is out for Carolina. 

Kickoff is at 4:30 p.m. ET from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. The newest Panthers vs. Buccaneers odds checklist Tampa because the 3-point favourite, whereas the over/beneath for whole factors scored is 43.5 through DraftKings Sportsbook. Earlier than making any Buccaneers vs. Panthers picks, try the NFL predictions from the SportsLine Projection Mannequin. 

The mannequin, which simulates each NFL recreation 10,000 occasions, is up properly over $7,000 for $100 gamers on top-rated NFL picks since its inception. The mannequin enters Week 18 on a 53-37 run on top-rated picks courting again to 2024. Anyone following its NFL betting picks at sportsbooks and on betting websites may have seen robust returns.

Now, the mannequin has set its sights on Panthers vs. Buccaneers. You’ll be able to go to SportsLine now to see the picks. Listed below are the NFL odds and betting traits Bucs vs. Panthers:

Why the Panthers can cowl

It was simply two weeks in the past that Carolina defeated Tampa, and the previous has overwhelmingly carried out higher versus the unfold this season. Tampa has dropped a staggering eight straight video games ATS, as its 5-11 report versus the road this yr is the worst within the NFL. The Bucs are simply 1-6 ATS at dwelling, whereas Carolina brings a 9-5 unfold report as an underdog in 2025. On the sector, the Panthers can benefit from the Bucs’ No. 30 redzone protection and a crew that hasn’t received the turnover battle in every of its final 4 video games, which have been all straight-up defeats. See which crew to again at SportsLine. 

Why the Buccaneers can cowl

Tampa has owned the latest matchups on this sequence, going 9-2 over their final 11 conferences. The Buccaneers even have the sting in some of the essential stats in any stage of soccer, and that is the turnover margin. The Bucs have the fifth-best turnover differential (plus-five) within the NFL, whereas the Panthers are simply tied for 14th with as many takeaways as giveaways. Tampa Bay additionally has a transparent power of operating the ball because it has the No. 7 rush offense, regardless of lacking Bucky Irving for almost half of the season. Thus, the Buccaneers can exploit Carolina’s run protection, which ranks twenty fourth by way of yards per rush allowed, and simply three groups have given up extra dashing touchdowns (24) than the Panthers. See which crew to again at SportsLine.

Methods to make Buccaneers vs. Panthers picks

SportsLine’s mannequin has simulated Panthers vs. Buccaneers 10,000 occasions and goes Over on the full, projecting 48 mixed factors. It additionally says one aspect of the unfold hits in additional than 50% of simulations. You’ll be able to solely get the decide at SportsLine. 

So who wins Bucs vs. Panthers, and which aspect of the unfold hits greater than 50% of the time? Go to SportsLine now to see which aspect of the Panthers vs. Bucs unfold to leap on, all from the superior mannequin that’s up properly over $7,000 on its NFL picks since its inception, and discover out.