I underestimated the impact of Christian McCaffrey last week, so I won't do that again. Though Mike Davis is capable, with McCaffrey out, I don't know that the Panthers have the firepower to keep up with a Buccaneers team that has veteran leadership hellbent on making up for last week's debacle in primetime. Though some think the line has been adjusted, I think it's right on at a touchdown. Both teams are better than they were to open the season, and in their prior meeting, Tampa Bay won by 14. Expect a similar result on Sunday afternoon.

Safety Jeremy Chinn should return for Carolina, while the Bucs will be without guard Ali Marpet for the second straight game. Those two factors are going to help the Panthers' beleaguered defense. Plus, Tampa Bay will want a far more balanced attack than it showed last week. Those rushes will keep the clock moving. Go Under.

Carolina QB Teddy Bridgewater has an amazing career record ATS as a dog, but the Panthers will be without Christian McCaffrey and that hurts even though they have LOST 11 straight games with him in the lineup. This is more about the Bucs surely being a tad ornery after being embarrassed last Sunday night at home by the Saints. Following their previous two losses, Tampa dominated -- including a 31-17 win over Carolina in Week 2. The Cats are 0-5 ATS in their past five at home vs. the NFC South.

This is an obvious bounceback spot for Tampa Bay following its embarrassing performance Sunday night. But how can you fade Teddy Bridgewater as an underdog? Plus, the Panthers should get rookie safety Jeremy Chinn back from the knee injury that caused him to miss Week 9. In the first meeting, the Panthers controlled the ball for more than 34 minutes but lost because they were minus-2 in turnover margin. Mike Davis had eight catches for 74 yards in the loss. With Christian McCaffrey out, Davis should have a massive game as the Panthers keep this close.

The last we saw Tampa Bay it was being embarrassed in primetime by New Orleans. There are few things I love more than taking a team after they've been destroyed in a spotlight game, because the public tends to be overly reactive, and it's often reflected in the next week's line. I believe that to be the case here. It was a bad night for Tampa, against a team that seems to have their number this season. I fully expect Tom Brady and company to bounce back this week against a Panthers team that has lost four straight, and that Tampa beat by 14 in Carolina earlier this season.

Without Christian McCaffrey, I don't think the Panthers have a shot to keep up with Tampa Bay. The Bucs will do what they want on the ground and through the air. Lay the points.