The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have achieved sufficient to stick within the chase for a postseason spot, however they may be able to’t have enough money a slip-up.
The Carolina Panthers will attempt to knock an opponent out of playoff rivalry for the second one week in a row once they consult with the Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon at Tampa, Fla.
“We perceive the place we’re,” Buccaneers trainer Todd Bowles mentioned. “It is nice to be taking part in December soccer. We simply need to care for ourselves and glance up on the finish and spot the place we are at.”
The Buccaneers (8-7) are tied with the Atlanta Falcons atop the NFC South, however even supposing Tampa Bay wins out, there is no ensure the group will declare the department as a result of Atlanta owns the tiebreaker after sweeping the season sequence.
“We are in playoff mode,” Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield mentioned. “We now have were given to care for trade or we haven’t any shot.”
The Panthers (4-11) snapped a four-game dropping streak by way of profitable their house finale by way of defeating Arizona 36-30 in additional time ultimate week. That consequence doused the Cardinals’ playoff potentialities.
“It’s been my hope all yr to construct a logo of soccer that we are happy with,” first-year Carolina trainer Dave Canales mentioned.
Now it is a probability for Canales to disrupt the plans of his former group. He was once Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator ahead of taking the task with the Panthers.
The Buccaneers received the primary assembly with the Panthers this season, 26-23 in additional time Dec. 1 in Charlotte. Carolina scored a go-ahead landing with 30 seconds left, however Chase McLaughlin’s 51-yard box purpose at the ultimate play of legislation prolonged the sport, after which McLaughlin’s 30-yarder in additional time received it.
Mayfield threw for 235 yards in that sport, whilst Carolina quarterback Bryce Younger handed for 298.
Tampa Bay misplaced 26-24 at Dallas ultimate weekend, halting a four-game profitable streak that incorporated 3 lopsided victories. Mayfield’s 303 yards within the air in opposition to the Cowboys marked his maximum passing yards in a seven-game stretch.
For the Panthers, six in their ultimate seven video games were determined by way of six issues or fewer, with 3 of the video games going to additional time.
“We were given to ensure that our our bodies are proper for this weekend, particularly happening to Tampa, the place it’ll be slightly hotter down there,” Canales mentioned.
Panthers operating again Chuba Hubbard’s 152 dashing yards with two touchdowns, together with the winner in additional time, supplied highlights within the Arizona sport. He is as much as 1,195 dashing yards for the season.
“Simply the instance of consistency, of laborious paintings, Panthers soccer, our taste, all that stuff, personified,” Canales mentioned. “I do know if Chuba was once up right here, he’d be giving all of the like to the massive boys up entrance.”
Within the first sport vs. Tampa Bay, Hubbard was once restricted to 43 yards dashing on 12 carries.
The Panthers have had a revised apply time table this week. Offensive take on Taylor Moton (knee) and cornerback Jaycee Horn (hip) were nursing accidents and overlooked time early within the week.
In all probability of larger interest for the Panthers is the standing of rookie receiver Xavier Legette (hip/wrist), who overlooked the Arizona sport however hopes to play once more by way of the season’s finish. Canales mentioned Legette was once transferring neatly previous within the week, and the receiver was once a complete player in Wednesday’s apply, in order that is encouraging information for the group forward of the Tampa Bay sport.
The Buccaneers will have protection Jordan Whitehead (pectoral muscle) again on Sunday following a stint on injured reserve.
Tampa Bay will shut the season subsequent week at house in opposition to New Orleans, whilst the Panthers could have some other probability to affect the divisional standings by way of completing at Atlanta.
–Box Stage Media
