Buccaneers vs. Panthers prediction: NFL Week 18 picks, odds

The Buccaneers will host the Panthers in Tampa Bay with the NFC South on the line to kick off NFL Week 18.

While at one point this season they looked like a shoo-in to win the division, the Bucs’ season has fallen apart in recent weeks, and the collapse starts with their quarterback.

Baker Mayfield has appeared banged up during the second half of the season, and his numbers suggest so as well.

Over his last six games, Mayfield has averaged just 216.3 passing yards per game with nearly as many interceptions (eight) as passing touchdowns (nine).

Those numbers are skewed by the 346 yards on 44 attempts Mayfield compiled last week, as the Bucs attempted to pull off a comeback against the Dolphins.

Two weeks ago, Mayfield struggled against the Panthers, throwing for just 127 yards with an interception.

Tampa Bay took a run approach in that game, logging 33 total rush attempts, which were the fourth-most for the Buccaneers in a game this season.

Carolina’s pass defense has been quietly solid this season, allowing just 204.3 yards through the air per game, including fewer than 130 in each of their past two games.

With the Bucs’ season on the line, oddsmakers are still expecting a solid outing out of Mayfield, pegging his passing yard total around 225.5.

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Since hitting that number five straight weeks from Week 3 to 7, Mayfield has gone under 225.5 pass yards in five of his last eight games.

I’m betting on him to fall short once again on Saturday.

The play: Baker Mayfield Under 225.5 passing yards (-120, FanDuel)

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Dylan Svoboda is a versatile writer and analyst across many sports. He’s particularly knowledgeable about the big three — MLB, the NFL and the NBA.