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2. Can Carolina dominate the ground again? The Panthers' passing attack was just fine under P. J. Walker in their previous meeting, but the ground game was the big differentiator. In its first game following the Christian McCaffrey trade, Carolina racked up 173 yards on 27 carries. Tampa Bay, meanwhile, had just 46 yards on 16 carries. If anything, Carolina looks even more primed for an offensive breakout on the ground in this game since Bucs nose tackle VIta Vea remains sidelined with a calf injury.
Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez/Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez 14 / 95 Carolina Panthers play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, October 4, 2015 in Tampa, FL. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez/2015 Carolina Panthers 15 / 95 Carolina Panthers play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, October 10, 2016 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez/2016 Carolina Panthers 17 / 95 Carolina Panthers play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, December 1, 2013. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez/Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez 18 / 95 Carolina Panthers play against the Tampa Bay Bucaneers at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, December 14, 2014 in Charlotte, NC.
Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez/2016 Carolina Panthers 24 / 95 Carolina Panthers against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a game at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 24, 2017 in Charlotte, NC. (Photo by Jamey Price)Jamey Price/2017 Jamey Price 25 / 95 Carolina Panthers against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a game at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 24, 2017 in Charlotte, NC. (Photo by Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez)Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez/2017 Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez 27 / 95 Carolina Panthers play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, December 1, 2013. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez/Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez 28 / 95 Carolina Panthers play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, October 10, 2016 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
29, 2017, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)Phelan M. Ebenhack 42 / 95 Carolina Panthers play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, October 4, 2015 in Tampa, FL. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez/2015 Carolina Panthers 43 / 95 Carolina Panthers play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, January 1, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez/2016 Carolina Panthers 45 / 95 Carolina Panthers play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, October 4, 2015 in Tampa, FL. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez/2015 Carolina Panthers 46 / 95 Carolina Panthers DeAngelo Williams runs with the football during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay, Fla., Sunday, Sept.
Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez/2016 Carolina Panthers 29 / 95 Carolina Panthers play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, December 1, 2013. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez/Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez 31 / 95 Carolina Panthers play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, October 4, 2015 in Tampa, FL. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez/2015 Carolina Panthers 32 / 95 Carolina Panthers play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, October 10, 2016 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez/2016 Carolina Panthers 33 / 95 Carolina Panthers against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a game at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 24, 2017 in Charlotte, NC. (Photo by Jamey Price)Jamey Price/2017 Jamey Price 34 / 95 Carolina Panthers play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, October 4, 2015 in Tampa, FL.
With a Panthers win this week, they'll still need a Week 18 victory over the Saints (or a Bucs loss to the Falcons and a Saints Week 17 loss to the Eagles) to win the South. The Bucs can still win the division with a Week 18 win and a Panthers Week 18 loss or tie. And New Orleans? The Saints can win the division ONLY if (deep breath)...
Of course, small sample sizes will be an issue in any four-game stretch, but Darnold has a chance to prove he can get one more chance next season with strong play down the stretch. And Tampa Bay will be a formidable foe, as the Bucs rank fourth in passing yards per game (195. 1) and third in net yards allowed per attempt (5. 4).
Also, the Panthers have been running with a head full of steam since their Week 13 bye, picking up 573 yards in three games, including a franchise-record 320 yards last week. The Bucs can't afford to lose the ground game so heavily again; they were just 2-of-12 on third downs in the last meeting in large part because they had so far to go. Perhaps a more balanced attack with Leonard Fournette and Rachaad White will help, although both rank among the 10 worst running backs in DVOA (min. 100 rushes). 3.
30, 2007, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)Chris O'Meara 38 / 95 Carolina Panthers' Kawann Short (99) celebrates after recovering a fumble against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)Mike McCarn 39 / 95 Kent Smith/KENT SMITH 40 / 95 Carolina Panthers play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, October 4, 2015 in Tampa, FL. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez/2015 Carolina Panthers 41 / 95 Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) celebrates a touchdown by running back Jonathan Stewart (28) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct.
they beat the Eagles on Sunday, Carolina wins this game, and both the Panthers and Buccaneers lose in Week 18. In case you're curious, that scenario is something FiveThirtyEight gives a 3 percent chance of happening. Surely, this isn't the set of hypotheticals Tom Brady imagined he'd need when he prematurely ended his retirement to return to the Buccaneers. But he still has a chance to salvage the regular season and even end with a winning record. Carolina (6-9) at Tampa Bay (7-8)Kickoff: Sunday, Jan. 1 at 1 p. m. ETTV: FOXLive Stream: fuboTV (Start your free trial)Spread: Buccaneers -3Tickets: As low as $133 on SITickets. com*Three Things to Watch1.
6, 2009 in Charlotte, N. C. (AP Photo/Rick Havner) 4 / 95 Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez 5 / 95 Carolina Panthers' Stephen Davis (48) scores on a 1-yard touchdown run against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2005, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Scott Audette) 8 / 95 Carolina Panthers against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a game at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 24, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Final AnalysisIt's worth noting that the Panthers only out-gained the Bucs by 21 yards in the first meeting this season. And that was with everything coming up Panthers in the ground game. With a less lopsided running matchup — and perhaps more urgency in the Buccaneers' passing game given Carolina's injuries —Tampa Bay should be able to pull this one out. In the end, we'll give the narrow edge to Tom Brady at home versus Sam Darnold on the road.
Carolina is already down its other starting corner, Donte Jackson. Brady had his only game of the season without a touchdown the last time these teams met; while his 290 passing yards may look impressive, it took 49 attempts to get there. Carolina has had a shaky pass defense all season but has done quite well stopping pass-catching backs. They've given up the sixth-fewest yards (379) and seventh-fewest receptions to running backs. The Panthers' defense looks more vulnerable, but more quick passes may still not be a recipe for success this time around.
Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Prediction: NFC South Could be Decided on SundayThe NFL's most topsy-turvy division may finally get some closure on Sunday when the Carolina Panthers visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs can clinch the NFC South win a home victory, although if the Panthers complete the season sweep, that verdict will have to wait until Week 18. All that will be certain is that the champion will have a losing record for the second time in the division's 21-year history. Related: Expert Picks for Every Week 17 NFL GameThese teams met in Week 7 when the Panthers put together their best win of the season, a 21-3 home beatdown in the second game under interim head coach Steve Wilks. Since then, both teams have gone 4-4 and are overwhelming favorites to finish atop the division.
(Photo by Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez)Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez/2017 Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez 10 / 95 Carolina Panthers against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a game at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 24, 2017 in Charlotte, NC. (Photo by Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez)Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez/2017 Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez 11 / 95 Carolina Panthers against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a game at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 24, 2017 in Charlotte, NC. (Photo by Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez)Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez/2017 Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez 13 / 95 Carolina Panthers play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, December 1, 2013.
Will the Bucs' quick-strike attack be enough? Tampa Bay's offense has been dreadful this season (17. 7 ppg, 28th in the NFL) in no small part because it doesn't have a downfield threat. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin remain good receivers, but Brady has not been willing or able to let plays develop downfield. His 2. 46-second average time to throw is the second lowest in the league, and his 6. 7 average intended air yards per throw are the sixth lowest. Brady's dink-and-dunk attack has not been effective, with just nine touchdowns through the first three quarters of games.
The broadcast is available nationwide on desktop computers and in the Charlotte region on mobile phones. It is also available in the Panthers app by clicking the Live Radio icon on the top of the home screen. SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow the Panthers for live updates and behind-the-scenes content during the game. 2 / 95 Carolina Panthers' Jonathan Stewart (28) runs past Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Quincy Black (58) and Ronde Barber (20) during an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec.
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