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The situation for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is pretty simple ahead of their Week 18 NFL regular-season finale against the lowly Carolina Panthers: win, and be crowned NFC South champions. If they lose, they’ll surrender the title to the winner of the Falcons vs. Saints clash. Here, we detail some best bets and prop picks for the game as well as lifting the lid on how to use our range of sportsbook welcome bonuses.

NFL Week 18 Buccaneers vs. Panthers odds preview

The Buccaneers head into the final day of the 2023 NFL regular season in first place in the NFC South. To say it would be a disappointment not to still be atop the division by Sunday night is an understatement; it would be seen as a disaster.

The Bucs are actually yet to confirm their postseason status but a Week 18 win would both do that and lock up the NFC South title. If Tampa Bay wins, they cannot be caught. If they lose, the winner of the huge Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints showdown would leapfrog them and earn the crown. It would take a defeat and multiple other results to go against them for the Bucs to miss out on the playoffs altogether.

The reason this divisional race is still alive and the Bucs aren’t home and hosed is that they were outgained and outmatched by the Saints last week, a defeat which snapped a four-game winning streak, took them down to .500 at 8-8 for the season, and sowed the seeds of doubts in Tampa Bay minds. The Bucs offense, which has been the recipient of much praise this year, didn’t even score until the fourth quarter.

Thankfully for Baker Mayfield and Co., their finale opponents are the Panthers, who have won just twice all season long and have been the division’s laughing stock.

Carolina was officially saddled with the worst record in the NFL after a poor performance in a shutout loss to the struggling Jacksonville Jaguars last week. Now, all they can do in Charlotte is hope to spoil Tampa’s party while they wait for the No. 1 pick in the draft to roll around.

So the outlook for the Buccaneers, who are 4.5-point favorites is pretty good. But they are not only expected but demanded to win, and that’s a situation which can heap on the pressure. If they start well, this could be a battering and a raucous Tampa Bay party. If they don’t, it could get awfully tense awfully quickly.

Kickoff at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte is at noon CT live on FOX.

NFL Week 18 Buccaneers vs. Panthers best bet: Bucs -4.5 (-110)

We think they will start well and will cover with ease. The only thing that should prevent the Bucs from covering the spread here is if the pressure of the occasion gets to them, because the Panthers are the very worst team in the league both statistically and optically. If your sportsbook of choice lets you add points to the spread, that’s worth a look too. Caesars, for example, lets you take Bucs -6 at plus money (+102).

NFL Week 18 Buccaneers vs. Panthers best bet: Bucs to win both halves (+195 with Bet365)

We’re doubling down here quite literally. Given the fact that the Bucs will surely be determined to get out in front early to ease their nerves, Bet365′s special of the visitors to win both halves at a generous +195 could make for a profitable alternative bet.

Even if the Bucs are cruising and ease off the gas, Mayfield and his array of weaponry have what it takes to run up the points.

NFL Week 18 Buccaneers vs. Panthers player prop: Rachaad White over 18.5 rushing attempts (-115 or better)

For all the Panthers’ woes, they actually have the league’s third-best pass defense heading into Week 18, giving up just 175.1 all season long. But their defense against the rush ranks 23rd with 123.1 yards allowed per game and dead last in the league for defensive rush EPA. Mayfield and Co. may choose to go to ground to help them find plays and Rachaad White stands to have a big day.

White has put up 915 yards and six TDs on the ground this season, averaging 57.2 yards per game and 3.6 per attempt. He has had at least 20 rush attempts in six of his previous eight games, and carried 20 times for 84 yards in Week 12 against the Panthers for 84 yards. He’ll be a key driving force again on Sunday.

NFL Week 18 Buccaneers vs. Panthers best bets: How to claim your sports betting bonus, best NFL promotions

Taking advantage of one of our sportsbook welcome promos to place your bet on the game couldn’t be easier. All you need to do is follow this handy guide:

• Click one of our promo code links and sign up using our code where applicable.
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