Week 7 NFL Best Bets - Are the Panthers Playing to Win?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-13.5) at Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers lost their head coach and QB. These moves called for appropriate action, and we cashed in. Now, they have traded away their premier receiver and star of the team, RB Christian McCaffrey. The line was -11 before the trade and now it's over -13 at many of the top sportsbooks. This week, Carolina hosts Tampa Bay and the Buccaneers have to score two touchdowns to cover by 1 point.

At this point of the season, Carolina is fighting with Houston and Chicago to become the worst team in the NFL. Based on their recent activity, are the Panthers tanking? Pittsburgh and Cleveland both have two wins and will win a few games. Detroit is 1-4, but they score lots of points. Las Vegas is also just a one win team, but have shown us on the field that they are a better team than their record. Last week, the Raiders only lost to KC by one point. This leaves us with the Panthers, Texans, and Bears sitting at the bottom of the NFL for the remainder of the season to get that number #1 pick in the 2023 Draft.

Carolina has admitted that Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield are not their future. Despite denials by their GM, the Panthers are looking to win now. Last time I checked, a team needs to kick field goals and score touchdowns to acquire points. They have no QB, no RB, no WR. Without any offense I want to know how Carolina intends to score against Tampa Bay.

The line is -13 at sportsbooks like BetOnline and Jazz Sports, but has already risen to -13.5 at Bovada. Bet the Bucs now and buy the game down to 11.5. 

Houston Texans at Las Vegas Raiders (-7)

Additionally, the Texans are playing the Raiders, who are coming off a bye week. The last two games the Raiders played resulted in a win at home against the Broncos and then a one point loss to KC on the road. They are at home playing an inferior team and the line is -7. Buy it down to -6 and go with the Raiders. Las Vegas with Jost McDaniels coming off a bye will be ready to roll tomorrow. 

Howard Schwartz has been providing betting insights for over a decade on Facebook. Check out his social media group and website pfww.vegas for more betting tips and NFL wagering advice.