[SBRforum Staff]

Panthers, Bucs Under 34

Game Time: 9/24/2006 1:00:00 PM
By: Ben Burns

It's early for a must-win game, but that's exactly what the Panthers and Buccaneers are facing today when they face off in Tampa.

These teams finished on top of the NFC South with equal 11-5 records last season. Tampa Bay was awarded the division title based on a superior division record but Carolina advanced further in the postseason. Naturally, both teams brought playoff aspirations into this season.

In fact, the Panthers were favored to win the entire conference. However, both enter this week's game with winless (0-2) records. Considering that division rivals Atlanta and New Orleans are both off to 2-0 starts, its almost certain that the loser of this game will not make the playoffs. That type of talk may seem a little premature for September but its reality in the competitive NFC South.

That being said, this 'must-win' game is likely to have a real playoff atmosphere to it. I expect that to translate to a low-scoring affair. The Bucs have seen both their first two games stay under while managing only three points in those games! The Panthers haven't been that much better as they have only managed 19 combined points in their two games. Not surprisingly, both games stayed below the total. Looking back at the history of this series and we find that eight of 11 games also fell below the number.

Expect another defensive battle and consider the under.

Play: Panthers-Buccaneers Under 34