Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers Preview

The Carolina Panthers will play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1:00 on Sunday. Panthers lost to the Atlanta Falcons 33-16 while Tampa Bay lost to the New Orleans Saints 31-24. The last time these two teams played the Bucs won 17-14 earlier in the season in Charlotte. The Panthers (6-9) will not be in the playoffs this year but Tampa Bay (8-7) still has a slim chance of making the playoffs with a win Sunday and Packers loss, Redskins tie and Dallas, Colts, Titians, and 49ers win’s. It will be interesting to see how the Panthers play Sunday, will they go out and play hard and try or just play like they don’t care since they won’t be making the playoffs this year. Panthers quarterback Cam Newton keeps struggling last week only completing 18 of 43 for 198 yards with 2 interceptions and 1 touchdowns against the Falcons, Tampa’s quarterback Jameis Winston was 23 of 35 for 277 yards 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions against the Saints but has thrown 5 interceptions over the past two weeks. Doug Martin will be start his 4-game suspension, so Jacquizz Rodgers will get the start, he rushed for 100 yards against the Panthers earlier in the seasons. The Panthers rushed defense is ranked 4^th in the NFL and Tampa’s rushing offense is ranked 22^nd in the NFL so Panthers shouldn’t have to worry about the run, it’s the pass they should be worry about. Since the Panthers keeps giving up big numbers through the air every game so far, this year. Tampa Bay will be without tightend Cameron Brate who was placed on IR with a back injury, Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly will be out due to concussion, Charles Johnson (foot) will be out and Tre Boston will be out as well with a knee injury.