Bodog Beat

The NFC South was an absolute mess in 2007. (AP Images)

This year, all four teams have winning records, and we’ll see the top two division contenders on Monday Night Football when the Carolina Panthers (9-3 SU, 6-5-1 ATS) host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-3 SU, 7-5 ATS).

The Panthers are 3-point favorites at press time (–120) with a total of 38.5 points. You can also get Carolina at –170 on the moneyline, and live betting is on the menu for what promises to be one of the best MNF matchups of the season.

Tampa Bay is the stronger team on paper with a point differential of +80 compared to +54 for the Cats. And when these two clubs met at Raymond James Stadium in Week 6, the Bucs (–1) sailed to a 27-3 triumph. However, Tampa Bay’s beaten-up defensive line could be vulnerable to Carolina’s running game this week.