NFL Week 15 overreactions
USA TODAY’s Prince Grimes breaks down the best storylines from NFL Week 15.
Sports Seriously
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers play on Sunday, Dec. 21, at the Panthers’ Bank of America Stadium in a game on the NFL Week 16 schedule.
Which team will win the NFL Week 16 game?
Check out these NFL Week 16 picks and NFL Week 16 predictions for the game, which can be seen at 11 a.m. MST on FOX (stream with FUBO).
The Buccaneers are a 2.5-point favorite over the Panthers in NFL Week 16 odds for the game, courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook.
Tampa Bay is -145 on the moneyline, while Carolina is +120. The over/under (point total) is set at 45.5 points.
NFL Week 16 picks: Rams at Seahawks | Eagles at Commanders | Packers at Bears | Buccaneers at Panthers | Bills at Browns | Chargers at Cowboys | Jets at Saints | Vikings at Giants | Chiefs at Titans | Bengals at Dolphins | Falcons at Cardinals | Jaguars at Broncos | Steelers at Lions | Raiders at Texans | Patriots at Ravens | 49ers at Colts | The Republic’s score predictions
Watch Buccaneers at Panthers live on FUBO (free trial)
Jeremy Cluff writes: “Tampa Bay and Carolina are tied atop the NFC South standings with both team at 7-7, so this game has huge playoff implications. These two teams will also face off in Week 18 in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers are actually a better team on the road than at home. Baker Mayfield will make a big play late.”
Bookies.com: Bet the Panthers with the points vs Buccaneers
Bill Speros writes: “Tampa Bay and Carolina share first place in the NFC South. Both are coming off NFC South losses in Week 14. However, these teams meet again in 2 weeks. So a loss here won’t be fatal. The Buccaneers aim for their 5th straight NFC South title. The Panthers, meanwhile, have edged up to playoff-contender status. Carolina has proven to be a tough out at home this season. The Panthers are on the prowl against the line in this situation, covering 11 straight as underdogs after a loss. Here. they’re getting points at home in a game that may well come down to a kick at the gun.”
The site’s formula predicts that the Buccaneers will win the NFL Week 16 game against the Panthers.
ESPN: Buccaneers have a 55.3% chance to beat Panthers on Sunday
The site gives the Panthers a 44.4% shot at winning the NFL Week 16 game, with the remaining percentage accounting for a tie.
Dimers: Buccaneers 23, Panthers 21
It writes: “After extensive simulations, our model gives the Buccaneers a win probability of 59%, while the Panthers have a win probability of 41%.”
Sportsnaut: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28, Carolina Panthers 24
Matt Johnson writes: “We don’t have much faith in either of these two teams right now, but someone has to come out victorious, and NFL rules require one of them to win the division. Taking the field in Week 16, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 1-5 in the last six games with a defense that is allowing 29.3 points per game and a 6.6 yards-per-play average along with a 102.2 QB rating. On the surface, that might seem like a recipe for Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers to win at home. However, Young has been wildly inconsistent this season, and there’s little reason to trust this pass defense versus Baker Mayfield, Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin, and Mike Evans. We’re giving the edge to Tampa Bay, only because we trust Mayfield a lot more than Young in a big game.”
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Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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