NFL Week 6 Picks – Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Who Do You Trust More – Tampa Bay or Jake Delhomme?
The Panthers came off their bye week and managed to squeak by the Redskins 20-17, but they lost to the spread in the process making Jake Delhomme the single worst betting quarterback in the league (now that Sage Rosenfels is rightfully buried on the bench in Minnesota). With the Panthers winless against the spread, they’ll visit Tampa Bay, a team they beat up at Raymond James Stadium on a yearly basis. Can the road dogs show some life against a mid-level opponent?
CLICK HERE FOR THE BEST NFL CAPPERS PICKS FOR ALL THE WEEK 6 ACTION! —–>
The Bucs have had a brutal stretch of schedule to open the season. They should’ve been competitive in Buffalo and got smoked 33-20. They were killing Washington until the secondary fell asleep and Santana Moss burned them for a touchdown. They’ve gotten mauled by Dallas, the Giants and the Eagles. So what happens when they face a team that has been getting their cans kicked all season? Nobody knows.
The Panthers are 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games on the road in Tampa Bay, and have gone 5-1 SU over that very same stretch. [soliloquy id=”82219″]Certainly they look like the team that has gotten the leg up on Tampa in this division rivalry. But again, it’s almost impossible to trust Jake Delhomme on the betting line anymore. I tried it last week, and it blew up in my face.
Carolina Panthers (1-3) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-5)
Sunday, October 18th — Raymond James Stadium, Tampa — 1:00pm EST
NFL Betting Line: Carolina -3 (39)
So that being said, I’m throwing the trends out the window. I don’t like home dogs any more than the next guy, especially with how Tampa Bay has been playing, but I like a few things. Antonio Bryant looks healthy again and Kellen Winslow is playing disciplined football. The offense is getting its stride with Josh Johnson getting more comfortable, though their 284.2 yards per game and 14.3 points per game won’t encourage you any more.
The defense of the Bucs is going to show up when they’re playing crappy teams. It has to, and playing at home will give them the kind of boost that a young team needs. The home crowd hates losing to Jake Delhomme, and they’ll be under his skin all day. Despite notching a win, Jake isn’t out of the dog house yet. I’m sticking with my guns on this and betting Jake Delhomme no matter what the situation.
NFL Free Pick: Tampa Bay +3 (UNDER)
One reply on “Panthers vs. Bucs NFL Week 6 Expert Picks”
Delhomme was a bit more like himself last week in the Panther’s win over the Redskins. Offensively the Bucs are lost and I do not expect QB Josh Johnson to figure things out today.
I’ll take Carolina -3 on the road.