This is an 8* PLAY on the Panthers.

Are the Bucs the better team here? Obviously. But Week 18 is "different" than the other weeks, as teams prepare for the playoffs, or the offseason.

Carolina is 5-11, while Tampa is 12-4. The Bucs beat the Panthers 32-6 on the road on December 26th, but I believe the rematch will be much closer this time around.

Carolina concedes 22.7 points per game, while the Bucs allow 21.

Tampa has won the NFC South and it's going to lock down the No. 2 spot, but it'll also be wary not put Tom Brady or any other starters too much into harms way here just before the playoffs start.

Carolina and Sam Darnold may not win this game outright, but The Insiders Room definitely feels that the stage is set for a much closer battle than what this spread is suggesting.

Grab the points, the play is CAROLINA.

Good luck, NP