The Carolina Panthers (4-11) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7) are set to clash this Sunday at 1 p.m. EST at Raymond James Stadium for NFL Week 17. The stakes are particularly high for the Buccaneers, who need to secure victories to keep their wavering playoff ambitions alive.
Last week, Carolina pulled off a thrilling 36-30 overtime victory against the Arizona Cardinals, showcasing their potential under quarterback Bryce Young. With Young returning to form—boasting impressive performances such as their earlier matchup against the Buccaneers, where they pushed Tampa Bay to overtime—hope runs high for the Panthers. Unfortunately, they will be facing this game without their leading running back, Chuba Hubbard, who is out for the rest of the season due to injury.
The Buccaneers, meanwhile, are coming off a disappointing loss to the Dallas Cowboys, snapping their four-game winning streak. Despite this setback, they are still aiming to clinch their division title and keep their playoff dreams alive. Currently, they are favored by 10 points, with the over/under total set at 48 points for the matchup, according to betting lines reported by various sports outlets.
Historically, the Buccaneers have dominated the series, winning eight of the last nine matchups, including their last meeting on December 8, where they triumphed 26-23 after overtime. Tampa will look to replicate their success against what has been labeled as one of the worst defenses this year, particularly against the run.
"We need to focus on getting back to our winning ways and showing what we're made of," Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield stated about the upcoming game, echoing the sentiments of urgency within the squad. Mayfield also aims for redemption after struggling against the Panthers previously, where he threw two interceptions and faced multiple sacks.
Young's resurgence has turned the Panthers, who also ranked last defensively allowing nearly 30 points per game, from being perceived as doormats to competitive opponents. Despite being out of playoff contention, they have the motivation to spoil Tampa Bay's postseason chances. Coach Frank Reich emphasized, “We want to finish strong and continue to build on the momentum we’ve created.” Even without Hubbard, they are banking on other key players stepping up. Running back Bucky Irving, who rushed for 152 yards and two touchdowns against Tampa earlier this season, and others will be integral for the offense moving forward.
The game will be especially significant for both teams. For the Panthers, it presents the chance to showcase their growth throughout the season and to finish strong, providing key experience for Young and the rest of the roster going forward. For Tampa Bay, it serves as not just another game but potentially their last chance to maintain realistic hopes of playoff contention if they want to see postseason action. After this matchup, they face another tough opponent, and losses here could leave them wondering what went wrong.
The weather is expected to be fair for the game at Raymond James Stadium, potentially allowing for explosive plays and high scores. Fans will be eager to see how both squads respond under pressure, especially Tampa Bay, who must take full advantage of every opportunity to secure the win.
Aside from the regular game day broadcast, CBS will cover the matchup, providing fans with access to play-by-play commentary. Streamed options include Paramount+, where followers can catch every minute of the action live.
With kickoff coming soon, the tension is palpable. Will the Panthers continue their late-season resurgence and shock the Bucs? Or will Tampa Bay rise to the occasion and maintain their playoff dreams? One thing's for sure: this NFC South battle is shaping up to be one for the ages!