NFL Week Six Trends – Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The two best teams in the NFC South square off in a key divisional game. The Panthers currently lead the NFC South by a game. If the Bucs win, they force a tie. But, can the Bucs win? Against the BetUS online NFL wagering spread, the Bucs haven’t been terrible this season but for the first time this year they might have to contend with adversity.
It has nothing to do with the supposed injuries to Brian Greise and Jeff Garcia. Garcia will likely start but that’s not the injury that online football betting fans need to pay attention to. It’s the injury to middle linebacker Barrett Rudd that could have NFL betting fans running to their computers and making an online bet on the Panthers. Without Rudd, the Bucs might have no chance in this game. He’s one of the most effective linebackers in the NFL right now and without him on the field the Panthers could run wild.
The Carolina Panthers have bounced back from a few subpar years in a big way. They have two solid running backs in DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. They have good wide receivers. Jake Delhomme is throwing the ball well and the defense is solid. This team could make some serious noise in the NFC if they keep everybody healthy and make it to the playoffs. For online betting fans, the Panthers have been a super solid online wager so far this season.
Here are the BetUS online sportsbook betting odds for this game.
Kick-off: 10/12/2008 1:00 pm est.
Carolina Panthers + 1 – 110 Ev O 37 ½ – 110
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 1 – 110 – 120 U 37 ½ – 110
Here are a few online wagering trends that might help us find a good online bet in this game.
The Carolina Panthers are 5-1-1 against the spread in their last 7 games versus a rival from the NFC Conference.
The Carolina Panthers are 7 and 3 against the spread in their last 10 games versus rivals from the NFC South Division.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 6 and 2 against the spread in their last 8 games versus a rival from the NFC South.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 4 and 0 against the spread in their last 4 games overall.
The Panthers and Bucs have played some great ones in the past. The key in this game will be how the Panthers respond to the myriad offensive sets that Bucs’ coach Jon Gruden is likely to throw at them.
But, like I wrote above, none of that matters. The truth is that if Barrett Rudd plays for the Bucs then they are a great online bet to cover the 1 point against the Panthers.
If Rudd doesn’t play, then forget it. The Panthers should be able to run all over the Bucs.
NFL Week 7 Prediction:
I’m going to wait until the last moment to make an online wager in this game. If Rudd plays, then the Bucs are the bet. If Rudd is on the bench, then I’m going with the Panthers.
