SR’s Choose-6 Preview: Bucs vs. Panthers | Pewter Report

Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds previews the upcoming Bucs sport with six quick-hitting subjects. What’s at stake for the Bucs and their opponent, what is going to result in a Tampa Bay victory or loss and a few key matchups to look at every week.

The Bucs had their four-game profitable streak snapped in Dallas, 26-24, by a spunky Cowboys staff on Sunday Evening Soccer. That loss led to Atlanta shifting forward of Tampa Bay within the NFC South. The Bucs now not management their very own playoff future and have to beat each the Panthers and the Saints and get some assist from both the Falcons or Commanders with a purpose to have an opportunity to achieve the postseason.

What’s At Stake For The Bucs

Bucs HC Todd Bowles – Photograph by: USA As we speak

All of the Bucs needed to do to win the NFC South for a fourth straight season was win out. However a loss in Dallas, 26-24, coupled with a win by Atlanta, 34-7, over the New York Giants final Sunday has derailed Tampa Bay in the intervening time. If the Bucs are going to make the postseason, the staff has two paths. Both win the division by ending with another victory than the Falcons, or enter the playoffs because the No. 7 seed as an alternative of the Commanders. The Falcons and Commanders play one another in Washington this Sunday. An Atlanta loss within the subsequent two weeks could be preferable for Tampa Bay, however Washington shedding out would even be useful so long as Tampa Bay wins out and finishes 10-7.

Except for a playoff berth, head coach Todd Bowles’ job could also be on the road. Bowles completed 8-9 in his first season as Tampa Bay’s head coach in 2022, but the Bucs received the NFC South as a result of the division was so unhealthy. A 31-14 loss to the Cowboys within the residence Wild Card sport meant that Bowles wanted to point out enchancment in 2023 with a purpose to proceed to steer the franchise. That occurred with a 9-8 document and a convincing residence playoff win over the Eagles final yr, 32-9.

Bowles and the Bucs noticed one other promising 3-1 begin dissolve right into a 4-6 document earlier than rebounding down the stretch for a second straight season. After shedding 4 straight heading into the bye, the Bucs received 4 straight popping out of the bye to enhance to 8-6 earlier than Sunday’s loss in Dallas. If Tampa Bay doesn’t make the playoffs, the franchise might take into account parting methods with Bowles, particularly with how the protection has underperformed this yr. Offensive coordinator Liam Coen has emerged as a scorching head teaching candidate and the staff could not need Coen to go away to run one other staff, as Dave Canales did final January in Carolina.

What’s At Stake For The Panthers

Panthers head coach Dave Canales – Photograph by: USA As we speak

Former Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales took over the largest rebuild job within the NFL when he signed on because the Panthers’ new head coach. Saddled with no first-round decide and one of many worst rosters within the NFL, Canales’ infectious spirit has helped will Carolina right into a formidable foe down the stretch. After a disastrous 1-8 begin, which noticed the benching of former first-round decide Bryce Younger after simply two video games, the Panthers have confirmed indicators of life, profitable three of the final seven video games, together with a 36-30 extra time thriller towards the Cardinals final week.

Along with these three victories down the stretch, Carolina had Kansas Metropolis on the ropes earlier than shedding 30-27, and misplaced to Tampa Bay in extra time, 26-23. So the case could possibly be made that with a good bounce of the ball in each of these video games, Carolina might have two extra wins and a complete of six victories on the yr.

Regardless, Canales has the Panthers taking part in good soccer heading into the 2025 offseason and the staff might play the position of spoiler for both the Bucs or the Falcons as the ultimate two video games of the yr are on the street in Tampa Bay and Atlanta. The arrow is pointing up for Canales and the Panthers and with one other win or two to finish the yr, Carolina might end with some momentum heading into subsequent season.

The Bucs Win If…

Bucs DT Calijah Kancey and Panthers QB Bryce Younger – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR

Tampa Bay was lucky to win in extra time at Carolina. With the Panthers driving into area purpose vary, Bucs outdoors linebacker Anthony Nelson stripped operating again Chuba Hubbard of the ball and Yaya Diaby recovered the fumble. That led to a game-winning drive capped off by a Chase McLaughlin area purpose as Tampa Bay lastly received an extra time sport below Todd Bowles. The Bucs might want to drive some turnovers on protection, particularly after shedding the turnover battle 3-0 in Dallas.

Not solely do the Bucs have to take the ball away on protection, they should shield it on offense. Tampa Bay had three giveaways in Dallas, together with the fifteenth interception of the season by quarterback Baker Mayfield and two fumbles, together with one by Rachaad White on what might have been the game-winning drive on the staff’s remaining possession. Mayfield threw two picks towards the Panthers in Carolina and should play turnover-free.

The Bucs additionally want to attain first, proper? Tampa Bay is 8-1 when scoring first, however is winless when it doesn’t for some cause. So profitable the coin toss looks like a key to victory, then rating a landing on the opening drive. That truly occurred in Carolina in Week 13, however it could be good to see the Bucs draw back from the Panthers as an alternative of the sport coming all the way down to the wire.

The Panthers Win If…

Panthers QB Bryce Younger – Photograph by: USA As we speak

Carolina did all the things it wanted to do towards Tampa Bay earlier within the season aside from seal the deal. The Panthers have been driving into area purpose vary in extra time earlier than Chuba Hubbard had the ball stripped out of his arms. The Bucs capitalized on that turnover and drove down for a profitable area purpose. Studying to end video games is a vital a part of progress for unhealthy groups on the trail in the direction of being good, and the Panthers took an enormous step in that path final week with a 36-30 extra time win towards the Cardinals.

So Dave Canales’ staff ought to come into Raymond James Stadium stuffed with confidence and perception that they’ll beat the Bucs after going toe-to-toe and blow-for-blow with them again in Week 13 at Carolina. Quarterback Bryce Younger is taking part in significantly better down the stretch with eight touchdowns and 4 interceptions during the last seven video games. However as a result of the offense is just not terribly explosive, the Panthers protection must step up and maintain the Bucs to 23 factors or much less with a purpose to have an opportunity to win.

Carolina is taking part in significantly better on each side of the ball, and is as much as practically 23 factors per sport offensively. Tampa Bay is surrendering a mean of 23.5 factors per sport proper now, and simply gave up 26 factors to backup quarterback Cooper Rush in Dallas on Sunday. With Todd Bowles’ protection combating defending the center of the sector, search for Canales to assault that space within the passing sport and exploit it.

Bucs’ Key Matchup On Offense
Bucs WR Mike Evans vs. Panthers CB Jaycee Horn

Bucs WR Mike Evans and Panthers CB Jaycee Horn – Photograph by: USA As we speak

As soon as once more it’s Mike Evans versus star cornerback Jaycee Horn, who was Carolina’s first-round decide in 2021. At 6-foot-1, 200 kilos, Horn has sufficient dimension to battle Evans, however Tampa Bay’s high receiver went off in Carolina within the final assembly. Evans recorded his first 100-yard sport of the season in Tampa Bay’s 26-23 extra time win, and he had a dramatic landing catch over Horn within the first quarter. Evans now has 5 100-yard video games towards the Panthers, which is essentially the most towards another staff. Three of these 100-yard video games by Evans have additionally come at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.

Evans went off for seven catches for 162 yards, together with a 75-yard catch-and-run landing in final yr’s 21-18 win over the Panthers and Horn struggled in that sport. Horn battled again in Carolina in Week 13 with six tackles and two cross breakups, however couldn’t stop Evans from topping 100 yards. He’ll have to win this one-on-one battle in Tampa Bay if the Panthers are going to have an opportunity of getting an upset win.

Evans is near extending his NFL document 1,000-yard season streak to 11 years, however must have one other massive outing. After lacking three video games with a hamstring damage he’s had two 100-yard video games throughout the final 4 weeks. With 818 yards by Week 16, Evans must common 91 yards per sport over the ultimate two weeks to hit 1,000 yards. That’s doable, particularly given his observe document for giant video games towards Horn and the Panthers prior to now.

Bucs’ Key Matchup On Protection
Bucs Entrance 7 vs. Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard

Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard and Bucs ILB Lavonte David – Photograph by: USA As we speak

Carolina confirmed a whole lot of confidence in operating again Chuba Hubbard with a hefty contract extension earlier this season. The Panthers gave him a four-year, $33.2 million deal as a present of religion to the staff that the franchise needs to reward its stars. The 25-year outdated Hubbard is the catalyst for Dave Canales’ offense. The previous fourth-rounder rushed for 902 yards and 5 touchdowns final yr, however is having a profession yr with 1,195 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. And he’s elevated his common from 3.8 yards per carry final yr to 4.8 yards per carry this yr.

Hubbard solely had one 100-yard sport final yr and that was in Tampa Bay, dashing for 104 yards and two touchdowns whereas averaging 4.7 yards per carry. However he’s topped 100 yards 4 occasions this season, together with 153 yards in Munich towards the Giants and 152 yards in final week’s extra time win versus the Cardinals. Hubbard had his first 100-yard sport final yr towards the Bucs at Raymond James Stadium in a 21-18 loss. However Tampa Bay held him in test in Carolina in Week 13 this season with simply 43 yards on 12 carries, plus forcing him to fumble in extra time.

The Bucs protection has been unbelievable in stopping the run because the bye week after giving up seven 100-yard video games on the bottom earlier within the season, together with 244 yards versus the Ravens on Monday Evening Soccer. Tampa Bay held Dallas to simply 31 yards and a landing on 12 carries (1.6 avg.) final week, and has a Prime 10 dashing protection. The Bucs will certainly want to carry Hubbard below 100 yards to prevail on Sunday.