Written by Webmaster | Monday, 08 December 2008
Week 14's rendition of Monday Night Football is a good one that will decide NFC South supremacy, as the front running Tampa Bay Buccaneers battle the Carolina Panthers to break a 9-3 first-place division tie, in what promises to be a great online NFL betting event. BetPhoenix.com NFL odds list Carolina 3½-point favorites with a game total of 38½.
Key head-to-head ATS trends:
—Buccaneers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 meetings in Carolina.
—Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Carolina.
—Under is 11-5 in the last 16 meetings overall.
—Underdog is 8-3 ATS in their last 11 meetings.
In Week 6, Jeff Garcia and the Bucs had no problem at home covering the 1-point spread with a 27-3 victory, as the veteran quarterback continued his stellar play against Carolina. Garcia completed 15-of-20 passes for 173 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions in this year's first meeting in October, and has currently led Tampa Bay to four straight wins at 2-2 ATS during the span. The Bucs have won five in a row against the Panthers SU, with Garcia completing 60.4 percent of his passes for 1,178 yards and nine touchdowns against three interceptions in those games.
Last week, Tampa downed New Orleans 23-20 at home with Garcia finishing just 9-of-23 with 119 yards passing and one TD. He’s completed 67.2 percent of his passes with eight TDs and three INTs this season, giving Tampa Bay a chance to win its second straight NFC South title. After facing the Panthers, the Bucs play their final divisional game the following week at third-place Atlanta.
Tampa Bay uses a rotation at running back with Warrick Dunn and Carnell “Cadillac” Williams. Last week, Williams continued to get more incorporated into the offense. He scored on an 8-yard run, his first TD since a career-threatening knee injury 14 months ago.
Garcia and the Bucs' offense will be facing a Carolina 'D' that has been inconsistent, but has 13 sacks in its last five games. Garcia’s success against Carolina is partly due to his ability to escape the pass rush, avoiding a sack against the Panthers in each of his last two games against them. Garcia, though, has been sacked nine times in his last two contests overall.
—Buccaneers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
—Buccaneers are 5-2 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
—Buccaneers are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 vs. NFC South.
—Buccaneers are 6-15 ATS in their last 21 games after accumulating less than 150 yards passing in their previous game.
—Buccaneers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games on grass.
—Buccaneers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Carolina is led by defensive end Julius Peppers, who had two sacks in a 35-31 win over Green Bay last Sunday. Peppers, who has a team-high 11 sacks, has had two or more 16 times in his career. He has six sacks in six career home games against Tampa Bay.
Like the Bucs, Carolina also uses a rushing tandem with DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart carrying the rock. DeAngelo Williams is coming off the best game of his career, setting a team record with four rushing TDs against the Packers. He leads the Panthers with 955 yards and 11 TDs on the ground. Stewart, a rookie, has rushed for 586 yards and six TDs. Carolina is 9-1 SU when rushing for more than 100 yards.
That may prove profitable for online NFL wagering fans planning on investing in the Panthers, because Tampa Bay has proven to be vulnerable against the run at times, allowing 150 yards or more twice and at least 100 seven times. Carolina’s ability to control the ball will go a long way in determining whether it will be able to take over the division lead and cash for its supporters.
However, the X-Factor could be arguably Carolina's most dangerous offensive weapon wide receiver Steve Smith, who's capable of big plays at any given moment. Smith finished with four catches for 105 yards, all in the second half last week. He has 273 yards receiving in his last two games, and the three-time Pro Bowler is sixth in the NFL with 958 on the season.
—Panthers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games in December.
—Panthers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games in Week 14.
—Panthers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a SU win.
—Panthers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games after allowing more than 30 points in their previous game.
—Panthers are 11-4 ATS in their last 15 games after scoring more than 30 points in their previous game.
—Panthers are 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 home games.
If you bet on NFL action, expect a hard fought competitive game that's one of the better Monday Night Football matchups we've seen in recent weeks. For newbies betting NFL online, be sure to checkout our props wagers available for every game. Veteran gurus in the sports betting business will tell you they're some of the most exciting forms of gambling.
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