The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will open the season at home against the Carolina Panthers as underdogs, though Vegas expects a closely contested game. The Panthers opened as three-point favorites, but they are now favored by as little as one point at some sportsbooks.
Related: Veteran Free Agents Could Be a Possibility for Bucs After Week 1
The Panthers head into 2012 looking to build on a 2011 season that was fueled by a breakout performance by quarterback Cam Newton. The Bucs will be trying to end a 10-game regular season losing streak that dates back to Oct. 23 of last year.
Kickoff for the game between the Bucs and Panthers is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET.
For updates on the game, stay tuned to SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more in-depth coverage of this matchup, head over to Tampa Bay Buccaneers blog Bucs Nation as well as Carolina Panthers blog Cat Scratch Reader. And for more news, notes and analysis from around the league, visit SB Nation's NFL news hub.
