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Our NFL betting expert brings you his best Buccaneers vs. Panthers predictions and picks for their NFL Week 7 showdown, which is live Sunday on FOX at 1 p.m. ET.

Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are experiencing some turbulence this season. However, it pales in comparison to that of the Carolina Panthers. The Bucs (3-3) have lost three of their last four games heading into Sunday afternoon’s clash against the Panthers (1-5) in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Despite its recent struggles, Tampa Bay finds itself tied atop the mediocre NFC South and with a 2-0 record against division representatives to boot. The Buccaneers have won four straight games in the series, including a 41-17 romp on Jan. 9.

Brady threw for 326 yards and three touchdowns against the Panthers in that contest and has five scores (four passing, one rushing) in the last two meetings overall. Carolina failed to ignite much in the way of offense last Sunday for interim head coach Steve Wilks, who has taken the reins after the team fired head coach Matt Rhule on Oct. 10.

Brady was taken to task publicly after electing to attend the wedding of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft — and thereby missing the Buccaneers’ walk-through session the following day. Never one to use the slightest perceived slight as motivation, Brady likely will take out his frustrations on a Panthers team in disarray.

Chris Godwin has recorded at least six catches in six of his past seven games overall and is averaging 116.3 yards per game over his last four encounters against Carolina. Fellow wideout Mike Evans has found the end zone in each of his last three meetings with the Panthers and totaled at least six catches for 75 yards in four straight contests. 

Pick: Buccaneers to cover -11 @ -110 at Caesars Sportsbook

Brady also isn’t shy about checking down to Leonard Fournette out of the backfield. Playoff Lenny was in fine form with six catches last week and 101 scrimmage yards (63 rushing, 38 receiving).

Fournette’s 32 catches and 232 receiving yards are second-best among NFL running backs, and he’s no stranger to pummeling the Panthers. He has three rushing touchdowns in three career meetings with Carolina.

Look for Fournette to get the party started on Sunday.

Pick: Leonard Fournette to record game’s first TD @ +310 at Caesars Sportsbook

While Tampa Bay can topple an opponent in many different ways, Carolina is pretty much a one-trick pony at this stage. All-Pro Christian McCaffrey benefited from a simplified offense last week, reeling in seven catches for 89 yards and adding 69 more yards on the ground.

McCaffrey will be looked upon to carry a team that is mustering a league-worst 260.0 total yards per game and fifth-worst 17.2 points per contest. Wideout D.J. Moore has been rendered useless in a passing game that is averaging an NFL fourth-worst 169.7 yards per game.

The Panthers aren’t offering much on offense, and an unproven quarterback situation does little to raise their profile.

Pick: Punt as first drive result for Panthers @ -260 at Caesars Sportsbook

Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook. Correct at time of publishing and subject to change.