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The NFC South Champions Tampa Bay Buccaneers (12-4) host the Carolina Panthers (5-11) Sunday. The Buccaneers hope to tackle this conference opponent to improve their playoff-seeding.
Tampa Bay
The Bucs, led by quarterback Tom Brady, defeated the struggling New York Jets 28-24 Jan. 2. Though it wasn’t an easy feat, the reigning Super Bowl Champions secured the win late in the fourth quarter with a field goal followed by a touchdown.
But the rocky path to a victory wasn’t the story of the game. Wide receiver Antonio Brown made a disorderly exit mid-game, and immediately after the match, head coach Bruce Arians said, “He is no longer a Buc.”
Browns’ official release was announced by the team Thursday.
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) January 6, 2022
Tampa Bay has 15 players on the injured list. Most notably:
- WR Mike Evans
- OLB Jason Pierre-Paul
- OLB Shaquil Barrett
- S Mike Edwards
If the Bucs win Sunday and the Los Angeles Rams lose, Tampa moves to the second seed in the NFC playoff picture.
Carolina
The Panthers fell 18-10 to the New Orleans Saints Jan. 2, though the outcome looked positive at the half. The loss marked Carolina’s sixth-straight loss of the season.
Head coach Matt Rhule addressed that it’s possible that quarterback Cam Newton will play Sunday.
“I’ve said that all week,” Rhule said. “We put a plan together.”
Newton claims the career-most rushing touchdowns for a quarterback with 75. However, the battle for starting quarterback between he and Sam Darnold seems unending.
The Panthers have seven players on the injured list. Most notably:
- CB CJ Henderson
- WR Robby Anderson
- CB Stephon Gilmore
Carolina stands in the way of Tampa’s team-record 13th win.
The matchup
The last time the in-conference opponents met up Dec. 26, the Buccaneers defeated the Panthers 32-6. The home team is eager for a 2-0 season sweep over the Charlotte team.
Kick off is set for 4:25 p.m. at Raymond James Stadium. Coverage starts here at halftime.
