Buccaneers (6-3) at Panthers (3-6)
Sunday, 1 ET, Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C.
TV: Fox
Danny Sheridan’s line: Buccaneers by 6
Buccaneers’ keys to the game: Bruce Arians and Tampa Bay now has an elite unit on the strength of its passing game, led by future Hall of Fame QB Tom Brady and an allstar group of pass catchers. While 2019 breakout stud WR Chris Godwin has been slowed by injuries, he’s still dangerous. Also, the team recently added four-time All-Pro WR Antonio Brown, plus, there’s three-time Pro Bowl WR Mike Evans to contend with.
Panthers’ keys to the game: Outside of Evans (seven catches, 104 yards), Carolina did a solid job against the pass in these teams’ last meeting in Week 1. The Panthers were totally unable to stop the Buccaneers’ rushing attack, though. This has been a problem for the Panthers all season.
Matchup to watch: Panthers QB Teddy Bridgewater vs. Bucs defensive coordinator Todd Bowles. Bridgewater has been a smooth and efficient quarterback for Carolina, if not a dynamic one. His worst games have come against strong defenses like those of Chicago and Tampa Bay. He has also had issues identifying extra rushers, including in losses to the relatively toothless defenses of the Saints and Falcons. That could be a real problem against Bowles, who is the most aggressive and possibly the best defensive coordinator in the NFL. Bridgewater has to read where the pressure is coming from and get the ball out fast.
Who wins? Neither team is the same compared to eight weeks ago. Tampa Bay has improved so dramatically that it’s hard to picture Carolina scoring an upset after losing by 14 points last time. Buccaneers 30-22