Banged-up Bucs face huge road challenge
CHARLOTTE — After the tumult of last weekend’s shocking and disturbing allegations against Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson settled down, there was this matter of preparing for a game – an important one, at that.
While the NFL’s investigation into Richardson’s workplace conduct is just getting started, the Panthers (10-4) have a chance to sweep their three-game homestand and wrap up a playoff berth for the fourth time in five seasons.
Standing in their way is Tampa Bay (4-10), which brings it M.A.S.H unit to Bank of America Stadium on Sunday.
With a victory, Carolina would be tied with Green Bay and Seattle for most playoff berths in the NFC over the past five seasons. (The Seahawks still have an outside chance to earn a playoff spot for the fifth year in a row.)
The Buccaneers placed five players on injured reserve this week, including their top two picks this year in tight end O.J. Howard and safety Justin Evans in addition to cornerback Vernon Hargreaves and guard J.R. Sweezy.
Plus, Tampa Bay will be without wideout DeSean Jackson and defensive end Robert Ayers against Carolina.
Facing Cam Newton, the Bucs’ secondary will be challenged. Brent Grimes will start at one cornerback spot, but if Ryan Smith can’t play, Robert McClain shifts outside, facing a team that cut him during last season. That elevates Javien Elliott — who has four tackles all season — into the nickel cornerback job, and the only backup for all three is rookie David Rivers, who will likely make his NFL debut after being signed Wednesday off the Dolphins’ practice squad.
It’s a game the Panthers should win easily. But Panthers coach Ron Rivera says all his players need to do is rewatch the Bucs’ 24-21 loss to Atlanta on Monday night to be reminded that Dirk Koetter’s team has not yet mailed in the season. Despite the injuries that piled up for the Bucs, only a missed 54-yard field goal by Patrick Murray prevented them taking the Falcons to overtime.
“Tampa got after Atlanta and they were a field goal away from tying it. They fumbled in the red zone. So it’s not like they didn’t come out and compete,” Rivera said Friday. “That was my message: These guys took [Atlanta] to the mat.’’