The Carolina Panthers head to Raymond James Stadium in Week 18 to take on Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
My Panthers vs. Buccaneers props are eyeing Baker Mayfield to make some noise, while Mike Evans should find the end zone again. Rico Dowdle will also have a quiet game on the ground.
Read more in my NFL picks for Saturday, January 3.
Panthers vs Buccaneers props
| Player | Pick |  |
|---|---|---|
 Baker Mayfield |
Over 217.5 passing yards | -114 |
| Mike Evans |
Anytime touchdown | +160 |
 Rico Dowdle |
Under 56.5 rushing yards | -114 |
Prop bet #1: Baker Mayfield Over 217.5 passing yards
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may be set to miss the playoffs, potentially, but Baker Mayfield still had a very solid campaign. He’s thrown for 3,490 yards and 25 touchdowns against 10 interceptions.
The quarterback was battling some minor injuries this week, but he’s good to go on Saturday.
The veteran has cashed the Over in passing yards in two of his last three appearances. Despite losing to the Miami Dolphins last weekend, Mayfield still threw for 346 yards and two TDs against two picks.
Mayfield only threw for 145 yards two weeks ago against the Carolina Panthers – his former team. But the week before that, he balled out for 277 yards through the air.
This could be the final game of the year for the Buccaneers, and I expect Mayfield to make his presence felt.
He’ll finish the campaign on a high note.
Prop bet #2: Mike Evans anytime touchdown
It hasn’t been the most electric campaign for Mike Evans, who missed substantial time due to injury. But, he’s managed to collect 28 receptions in seven games for 334 yards and three touchdowns.
Evans has found the end zone in back-to-back games, reeling in a touchdown against Carolina last month and then another against Miami a week ago.
Emeka Egbuka has been less involved lately, and Evans seems to be a more consistent target in the red zone at the moment.
He already did some damage against Carolina, so why not again? Evans is playing with confidence, and you best believe Mayfield will be eyeing him in TD situations.
Prop bet #3: Rico Dowdle Under 56.5 rushing yards
Rico Dowdle is having a very respectable season for the Panthers, rushing for 4.7 yards per carry and over 1,000 yards overall. He’s done his part in helping Carolina contend for a Wild Card spot.
However, the running back has cashed the Under in rushing yards in three of his last five contests, and he barely cashed the Over last weekend against the Seattle Seahawks, finishing with 59 yards on the ground.
The Bucs limited Dowdle to a measly 29 yards on December 21, and their run defense is a huge strength, ranking seventh in the NFL in fewest yards allowed on the ground.
Also, Dowdle is substantially worse on the road, averaging 49.3 rushing yards per game compared to 84 per contest at home. All signs point to another quiet evening for the former Cowboy here.
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