Carlos Gonzales / Minneapolis Star Tribune / MCT
Vikings receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) is tackled by Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Alterraun Verner (21) and Lavonte David (54) in the second quarterSunday, Oct. 26, 2014 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. The Vikings came out on top 19-13 in overtime.
Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014 | 2 a.m.
Week 15: Cowboys at Eagles
- Which side would you take in the Sun's handicapping game of the week? (Majority Poll Opinion this season: 9-6)
- Eagles minus-3.5 — 52.7%
- Cowboys plus-3.5 — 47.3%
This poll is closed, see Full Results »
Note: This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.
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Gamblers tend to ignore the figurative bottom of the betting board when the NFL season begins to wind down.
It’s a mistake, as the afterthought games are often where the most value is available. I think I’ve located one such spot with the today’s Play of the Day, which uses odds from the South Point and $10,000 starting bankrolls.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers plus-3 at Carolina Panthers: $330 to win $300
Over the second half of the season, the Buccaneers have played better than the Panthers. Both teams are 1-6 straight-up and 3-4 against the spread, but Tampa’s point differential is minus-22 as opposed to Carolina’s minus-46.
And that’s with Cam Newton playing quarterback. Almost all of the Panthers’ success this season has come when Newton has willed the team to victory.
He should be worth more than two points on the point spread, which is all this number moved when a car wreck ruled him out and forced the Panthers to turn to Derek Anderson.
The Buccaneers pass defense has worked its way to respectability, and is way up to the task of holding Anderson in the check. The defensive front, what with Gerald McCoy and Lavonte David, was never the problem.
But where Tampa Bay will really take this game is on offense. The Panthers have no one to match up with sensational rookie wideout Mike Evans.
Carolina’s 41-10 victory over New Orleans last week as 8.5-point underdogs shouldn’t conceal how poor they’ve played most of the season. Oddsmakers may have fallen right into that overreaction, making this price ripe for the taking.
Standings: Bern (59-49-1, $12,216), Keefer (52-60-1, $7,427), Brewer (50-56-3, $5,055)
Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.
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