NFL Week 5 - Monday Night Preview

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-3) @ Carolina Panthers (1-3) - Bank Of America Stadium

The reigning NFC Champions desperately need a victory as they host division rivals the Buccaneers on Monday Night Football at Bank of America Stadium. With both sides already 3 wins behind high flying Atlanta, the loser of this game will be long odds to get themselves back into the playoff picture. While that might not be so surprising for the Buccaneers, it is a shock to see the Panthers in a 1-3 hole a quarter of the way through the regular season. With Cam Newtown out with concussion, Derek Anderson will start just his 3rd games since joining Carolina back in 2011. Tampa have fallen off a cliff after an excellent opening day win over Atlanta which looks all the more puzzling now given The Falcons have since won 4 straight. The trouble for Tampa has been turnovers with the Bucs a terrible - 9 in turnover ratio just 4 games into the season. 

Verdict - Panthers 20 Bucs 16

Carolina simply have to win this game at home or they are in danger of falling completely out of the the playoff race. Without Cam Newtown I see this game being much closer than anticipated, however I just can't quite trust the Bucs coming off 3 poor losses in a row. In front of a Monday Night home crowd I expect the Panthers defence to lift and be the main reason they win this game.