Bucs vs. Panthers picks, predictions from experts ahead of crucial NFC South showdown

5 days ago 2

Bucs vs. Panthers picks, predictions from experts ahead of crucial NFC South showdown originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers will do battle in a crucial Week 18 contest at Raymond James Stadium on Saturday.

The Bucs and Panthers are both vying for the top spot in the NFC South, which is the only path each team has to make the postseason entering the final week of the regular season.

With a win, the Panthers will take the division. Tampa Bay, on the other hand, will need some help to secure the division, even with a victory on Saturday.

Along with a win over Carolina, the Bucs will also need the Atlanta Falcons to lose on Sunday to the New Orleans Saints or else there will be a three-way tie for first place and the Panthers will own the tie-breaker.

Both teams enter this game reeling, but the Bucs much more so.

The Panthers haven't won back-to-back games since October and the Bucs have lost six of their last seven, which has sent a once-promising season spiraling out of control.

With just hours to go before kickoff, here's who experts see winning this game.

Bucs vs. Panthers picks, predictions

Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News: Panthers 20, Buccaneers 17

Iyer: "These teams have been crazy inconsistent all season. Since Week 7, the Panthers have alternated between wins and losses to go 5-5, matching their classic 8-8 record. The Buccaneers started 6-2 before their Week 8 bye and have gone 1-7 since. It's difficult to know which version of either team will show up in Tampa. Based on second-half trends, it's time to flip a coin. Let's go Carolina to keep up its every other week pattern to end the hosts' four-year stranglehold on the NFC South title."

Bill Bender, The Sporting News: Buccaneers 24, Panthers 20

Bender: "The Buccaneers are a risky pick here knowing they have lost four straight games by four points or less. Baker Mayfield has six TDs and five interceptions in that stretch, and the defense is struggling to generate turnovers. The Panthers are 3-5 S/U on the road."

ESPN