The Carolina Panthers play host to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a game between NFC South foes on Sunday from Bank of America Stadium. The Buccaneers come in having lost three of their last four games and know that if they want to win the division, grabbing the win in this one is key. For the Panthers, they've lost three in a row, and with the organization seemingly in disarray, some normalcy is all this group is looking for. The Buccaneers have won four straight overall in the series and anything less than making it five in a row, will likely be a disappointment in this one.
The Buccaneers have been one of the best teams in the NFL over the last few seasons and their ability to grab wins, especially against the lower-end competition, has been a staple of their success. This season though, struggles have caught up to this group and after losing to the Steelers last week, concerns are mounting when it comes to what can be expected from this group. It isn't likely to help matters that Tampa Bay will be hitting the road for the second-straight week and with their own off-field issues that they'll be navigating, things could be more challenging than expected.
When it comes to injuries, the offensive line concerns continue to be top of mind, especially with Ryan Jensen (knee) ruled out for the season and a few others battling game-time decisions. When it comes to the secondary, a pair of cornerbacks are questionable, while Logan Ryan (foot) has already been ruled out at safety. While it might not matter in this one, Tampa Bay knows that its health needs to improve going forward.
Everything you should know about #TBvsCAR ??
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) October 20, 2022
Tampa Bay's offense has struggled to get going this season and while they certainly have talent at their disposal, turning it over into a winning mentality has been a different story. Tom Brady and his deep receiving core continue to dominate but the lack of a solid ground game continues to be a major concern. The Buccs rank 32nd in the league in rushing yards per game and even against a weak Carolina front could struggle to move the ball. Until they have more confidence in their ability to control the clock, the struggles could certainly continue.
Defensively, the Buccs shouldn't have any issues slowing down an injury-ridden Carolina team. They rank seventh in the league in total defense and against the pass while boasting the league's fifth-best scoring defense. While they might struggle to control the clock on the offensive end, they shouldn't have any trouble keeping Carolina's offense off the field in this one. Devin White (48 tackles, 3 sacks) and Lavonte David (47 tackles, 1 sack) continue to bolster one of the league's best linebacking cores, while if the pass rush can continue to be elite, the Panthers won't stand a chance at moving the ball.
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