NFL THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

BUCCANEERS (0-1) AT PANTHERS (0-1)

Time: 8:20 p.m. ET

Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte

TV: NFL Network

Pregame.com line: Panthers by 7

Buccaneers’ keys to victory: QB Jameis Winston has thrown more interceptions (nine) than touchdowns (seven) in his seven career games against Carolina. He must limit those mistakes against ballhawks such as CB Donte Jackson and FS Tre Boston. Defensively, coordinator Todd Bowles has to find a way to produce pressure without his best pass rusher, DE Jason Pierre-Paul, out for at least the first six weeks of the season because of a neck injury.

Panthers’ keys to victory: Offensive coordinator Norv Turner should focus on turning his many receiving weapons loose against a shaky Bucs secondary – TE Greg Olsen has totaled more yards (797) against Tampa Bay than any other NFL team. On defense, the more that players such as rookie OLB Brian Burns and DT Gerald McCoy can harass Winston, the more likely he will be to make a mistake. McCoy will be playing against his former team for the first time.

Matchup to watch: Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey vs. Buccaneers LB Devin White. While the wide receiver corps is solid, Carolina’s offense still will rely heavily on McCaffrey, and the Panthers led the league in yards per rushing attempt last season. Turner also will use McCaffrey heavily as a receiver – he had more targets (124) than any other Panther in 2018. Unless White can limit McCaffrey’s yards after the catch, the Bucs don’t stand a chance.

Who wins? Thursday night games can be sloppy, and they tend to favor the home team. Carolina has won nine of the past 12 meetings between these teams.

Panthers, 35-20 Tim Weaver of Panthers Wire