The 2012-13 NFL season kicks off this week, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will play host to the Carolina Panthers in Week 1 at 4:25 p.m. EDT on Sunday afternoon.
Despite the fact that the Bucs have made some major moves this offseason, notably signing wide receiver Vincent Jackson, the Panthers are still slight favorites in the Week 1 matchup.
Depending on which website you use, the Panthers are favored from anywhere between one and three points, with 5Dimes only giving the Panthers a 1-point edge. Just Bet and Top Bet give the Panthers a 2-1/2-point edge, while Bovada has the Panthers as 3-point favorites.
The over under for the game opened at 46 1/2 points, but 5Dimes and Just Bet have increased it to 47. Top Bet still has the total at 46 1/2.
It's always difficult to predict early season NFL games, but it's clear that Vegas and gamblers prefer Cam Newton to Josh Freeman, despite Freeman and the Bucs having home field.
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