Mike Evans looks set to continue his ruthlessly display even with Carolina Panthers
AGAINST THE SPREAD: Tampa Bay 10-6, Carolina 4-10-2.
SERIES RECORD: Panthers lead 25-21
LAST MEETING: Buccaneers beat Panthers 21-18 on Dec. 3, 2023, in Tampa Bay.
LAST WEEK: Buccaneers lost to Saints 23-13; Panthers lost to Jaguars 26-0.
BUCCANEERS OFFENSE: OVERALL (23), RUSH (31), PASS (15), SCORING (19)
BUCCANEERS DEFENSE: OVERALL (25), RUSH (6), PASS (32), SCORING (T9)
PANTHERS OFFENSE: OVERALL (32), RUSH (20), PASS (31), SCORING (31).
PANTHERS DEFENSE: OVERALL (3), RUSH (13), PASS (3), SCORING (30)
BUCCANEERS PLAYER TO WATCH: QB Baker Mayfield, who’s with his fourth team in six seasons, is trying to lead a club to the playoffs for the second time. He also did it in 2020 with Cleveland. He’s completed 64.4% of his passes for 3,907 yards and 28 touchdowns, the latter two of which are both career bests. He split last season between the Panthers and Los Angeles Rams before signing a one-year, $4 million deal as Tom Brady’s replacement in Tampa Bay
PANTHERS PLAYER TO WATCH: QB Bryce Young will make his final start of a disappointing rookie season. He’s coming off a poor performance last week against Jacksonville, held to 112 yards passing as Carolina was shutout for only the fourth time in franchise history. Young was sacked six times.
KEY MATCHUP: Panthers OL vs. Buccaneers pass rush. The Panthers have allowed 62 sacks this season, tied for third most in the NFL. Left tackle Ickey Ekwonu particularly has struggled this season. Tampa Bay comes into the game tied for 10th in the league in sacks with 45, so expect it to dial up the pressure against Young.
KEY INJURIES: Mayfield has sore ribs after taking a late hit on a 2-point conversion play with less than two minutes remaining in last week’s loss to New Orleans. He says he will do everything he can to be ready to play against the Panthers. … Bucs LB Shaquil Barrett (groin) and CB Carlton Davis (concussion) were inactive against the Saints. Their status will be evaluated as the week progresses.
The Panthers OLB Marquis Haynes (concussion) is not expected to play after taking a blow to the head last week against the Jaguars that left him hospitalized. … Also, rookie WR Jonathan Mingo went on IR earlier in the week with a foot injury and won’t play.