Free NFL Picks Today: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers 1/1/23

The Carolina Panthers (6-9, 1-5 Away) are on the road to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8, 4-4 Home) at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday. The Buccaneers are three-point favorites, and the total is 40.5.

Carolina is coming off a convincing 37-23 win over the Detroit Lions at Bank of America Stadium last Saturday. Sam Darnold was 15 of 22 for 250 yards and a touchdown.

D’Onta Foreman ran 21 times for 165 yards and a touchdown. DJ Moore caught five passes for 83 yards and a touchdown. Tampa Bay beat the Arizona Cardinals 19-16 at State Farm Stadium last Sunday.

Tom Brady threw for 281 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. Leonard Fournette carried 20 times for 72 yards and added nine catches for 90 yards.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Panthers won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 21-3 victory in October. P.J. Walker threw two touchdowns for Carolina.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Panthers are averaging 20.9 points per game for the season, 18th in the NFL, and they are facing a Buccaneers defense that has surrendered 20.3 PPG (7th). Meanwhile, Tampa Bay has scored 17.7 points a game this season, 28th in the league, and Carolina is allowing 22.5 PPG (19th).

The Panthers rank as one of the league’s worst teams in passing yards per game (190.8, 28th), while they are 10th in rushing yards (131.0). The Buccaneers are seventh in passing yards allowed per game (215.1) and 17th against the run (120.3).

Tampa Bay has been the league’s least productive rushing team, averaging 77.0 yards per game, while ranking sixth in passing yards (278.5). The Panthers are allowing 233.0 passing yards (15th) and 125.0 rushing yards per game (21st).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through seven games, Baker Mayfield has thrown for six touchdowns (6 INT) and 187.6 yards per game to lead Carolina in passing. In three away games this season, he has three TDs (2 INT) and an average of 165.3 yards passing.

D’Onta Foreman leads the team in rushing with an average of 57.9 yards a game over 14 games. He has five touchdowns on the ground. DJ Moore is the Panthers’ leading receiver with 50.7 yards a game and six TDs.

Tom Brady has 21 passing touchdowns (9 INT) with 278.5 yards per game through 15 games to lead Tampa Bay. In eight home games this season, he has thrown for 14 TDs (4 INT) and an average of 307.9 yards.

Leonard Fournette has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 45.7 yards a game through 14 games. He also has been valuable as a receiver, accumulating 35.7 yards a game through the air.

He has six total touchdowns, three rushing and three receiving. Mike Evans has been the primary target in the Buccaneers’ passing game. He has three touchdowns and a 65.5 yard per game average through 14 appearances. Mike Evans is averaging 8.2 targets per game (4.8 receptions).