The Buccaneers actually swept the Panthers in 2016, a favor the Panthers hope to return this Sunday. If the Panthers win, and they are ten point favorites to do that, they will clinch a playoff berth while also extending the Buccaneers’ 2017 misery. They are currently losers of four in a row and most likely will end the season having lost six in a row given they play the Saints in their season finale. This has to be a soul crushing development given all the high hopes and expectations many fans and others around the NFL has for the Buccaneers. You won’t see me shedding any tears for them though.
The Panthers defense did a number on the Buccaneers earlier in the season in Tampa Bay. They held the usually potent Buccaneers offense to just three points. The bigger weakness in Tampa Bay is the defense. They give up a lot of yards, the second highest in the NFL. They have the worst passing defense in the league, averaging 271 yards per game. I expect a big game from Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, whether it’s running or passing the football.
Here are some additional factoids from the game capsule.
Carolina Panthers
Quarterback Cam Newton passed for 252 yards and four touchdowns for a 128 rating last week. In his past four games at home against Tampa Bay, has eight passing touchdowns and two interceptions for a 115.9 rating and has four rushing touchdowns. Leads NFL quarterbacks with 643 rushing yards. Has four seasons with 600+ rushing yards, tied for most by quarterback in NFL history (Michael Vick). Is one of three in NFL history (Steve Young & Randall Cunningham) with 150+ passing touchdowns (157) & 4,000+ rushing yards (4,209).
Running back Jonathan Stewart has five rushing touchdowns in his past four games. Aims for third game in row against Tampa Bay with a touchdown.
Rookie running back Christian McCaffrey had career-high 136 scrimmage yards (73 receiving, 63 rushing) and a touchdown catch in Week 15. Leads NFL rookies in catches (73) & ranks fourth in touchdowns (7) & scrimmage yards (974). Is only rookie running back in NFL history with 70+ receptions (73) & 5+ receiving touchdowns (5). His 73 catches are tied for most by rookie in franchise history.
Tight end Greg Olsen led team with nine receptions for 116 yards & a touchdown last week. Has 392 receiving yards (98 per game) in his past four at home against Tampa Bay.
Wide receiver Damiere Byrd had two touchdown catches in Week 15, his first two career touchdowns.
Defensive end Julius Peppers has 10 sacks & is one of four in NFL history with 10+ sacks in 10+ seasons. Has 7.5 sacks & three forced fumbles in his last six games against Tampa Bay.
Linebacker Luke Kuechly has 43 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and two interceptions in his past five games against Tampa Bay. Aims for his 11th in row against the division with 8+ tackles.
Cornerback James Bradberry aims for third game in a row with an interception. Has 12 tackles, an interception and three passes defensed in two career games against Tampa Bay.
Cornerback Daryl Worley aims for his third game in a row with an interception.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterback Jameis Winston completed 27 of 35 (77.1 pct.) for 299 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions for 130.5 rating last week. Has five touchdowns and one interception for a 106.1 rating in his past three games on the road.
Running back Doug Martin has 282 rushing yards (94 per game) in his past three games at Carolina.
Running back Peyton Barber has two touchdowns in his past two games against the division. Has 274 scrimmage yards (91.3 per game) in his past three games.
Wide receiver Mike Evans led team with 79 receiving yards & a touchdown in Week 15. Has two touchdowns in his past three games against Carolina. Has seven touchdown catches in his past ten games against the NFC South.
Tight end O.J. Howard ties for lead among NFL rookies with six receiving touchdowns and ranks second among rookie tight ends with 432 receiving yards. Aims for 3rd game in a row with a touchdown catch.
Tight end Cameron Brate has two touchdowns in his past three games. Has 14 touchdowns since 2016, third most among NFL tight ends.
Linebacker Lavonte David leads NFL with five fumble recoveries and ranks first in the NFC with five forced fumbles. In five career games at Carolina, he has 46 tackles (9.2 per game), two sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception. Since entering league in 2012, he ranks third in the NFL in tackles (747), second in tackles for loss (92) and is tied for third in forced fumbles (17).
Linebacker Kwon Alexander led the team with 13 tackles last week. Aims for third game in a row against Carolina with 10+ tackles. Has 58 tackles (9.7 per game) in his past six games against the division.
Linebacker Kendall Beckwith and safety Justin Evans tie for third among NFL rookies with 65 tackles each. Evans is the only NFL rookie with 60+ tackles (65) & 3+ interceptions (3).
Cornerback Brent Grimes aims for 3rd game in a row against Carolina with an interception. Has three interceptions, including a 31-yard interception-touchdown & seven passes defense in his past four games against Carolina.