The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will start the season at home in Raymond James Stadium hosting the Carolina Panthers this Sunday September 9th, 2012 at 4:25 PM ET.
Cam Newton and his Panthers are listed by BetOnline Sportsbook as 3 point road favorites with a total of46.5 for this game.
The Buccaneers are a team starting a new process under new head coach Greg Schiano, who is already being praised for quickly installing a new attitude in the building even though he will be a rookie head coach in the NFL. He is a defensive minded coach who will be called upon improving this unit that ranked 30th overall on 2011, ranking dead last in run defense allowing 156.1 rushing yards per game to opponents.
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In come the Carolina Panthers, led by Cam Newton who will be entering his sophomore season with great expectations; after his rookie season where he threw for 4051 yards and accounted for 21 touchdowns. He is also the main factor for the resurgence of wide receiver Steve Smith, who amassed 1394 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns.
The biggest factor in this game is how unproven this new Tampa Bay team will be under a new coach and new system. Key veteran additions such as former San Diego receiver Vincent Jackson will certainly be relevant, but considering how bad this defense was last year we certainly think the Panthers have the edge, as a more mature team which seems more solid at this time. Bet The Panthers to take this one on the road at BetOnline!
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