Prediction: Panthers at Bucs

It all comes down to this afternoon. The Panthers head to Tampa with just about everything on the line, though they do have tomorrow’s insurance policy, one they are hoping not to cash. This is a tough spot. Beating a divisional opponent twice is never easy, and doing it on the road with so much at stake is an even taller order for such a young team.

It is also hard to have much optimism about the passing offense based on Bryce’s 54 yard performance last week, albeit against a Super Bowl contender. I think Baker Mayfield makes a little magic against a team he clearly despises. Mike Evans has a huge day. The Panthers struggle to get the run game going against Tampa’s style of run defense and fail to fully exploit a banged up and vulnerable Buccaneers secondary.

In the end, I see it finishing Tampa 27, Carolina 17. Then, to make matters worse, the Saints ruin the season by beating the Falcons tomorrow, an Atlanta team that looks dangerously thin on offense outside of Bijan Robinson.