Buccaneers-Panthers Preview

Divisional bragging rights will be on the line on Monday when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers meet at Bank of America Stadium. Oddsmakers currently have the Panthers listed as 3-point favorites versus the Buccaneers, while the game's total is sitting at 38½. The Buccaneers defeated New Orleans 23-20 as a 4.5-point favorite last week. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (44.5). Jeff Garcia passed for 119 yards with a touchdown for Tampa Bay, while Antonio Bryant caught three passes for 63 yards and a TD. The Panthers defeated Green Bay 35-31 as a 3-point underdog last week. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (41.5). DeAngelo Williams rushed for 72 yards with four touchdowns on 21 carries for Carolina, while Jake Delhomme passed for 177 yard with a touchdown run in the win. Current streak: Tampa Bay has won 4 straight games. Team records: Tampa Bay: 9-3 SU, 7-5 ATS Carolina: 9-3 SU, 6-5-1 ATS Tampa Bay most recently: When playing in December are 3-7 When playing on grass are 8-2 After being outgained are 7-3 When playing within the division are 8-2 Carolina most recently: When playing in December are 5-5 When playing on grass are 9-1 After being outgained are 8-2 When playing within the division are 5-5 A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Tampa Bay's last 8 games when playing on the road against Carolina Tampa Bay is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games The total has gone OVER in 8 of Tampa Bay's last 10 games on the road The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Tampa Bay's last 8 games Carolina is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Carolina's last 8 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay Carolina is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games The total has gone OVER in 4 of Carolina's last 5 games Next up: Tampa Bay at Atlanta, Sunday, December 14 Carolina home to Denver, Sunday, December 14