Buccaneers vs. Panthers: Complete Week 15 Preview for Tampa Bay

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are finally—officially—eliminated from the playoffs, but they've still got a few chances to play spoiler down the stretch, beginning with a road matchup against the division-rival Carolina Panthers.

Sunday's game is scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. ET from Bank of America Stadium, and it will be aired on Fox.

Tampa Bay (2-11) is in the driver's seat for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft, while Carolina (4-8-1) still has its sights set on an NFC South title.

With Cam Newton out for this week's game after suffering back injuries in a scary car accident, the Panthers will turn to Derek Anderson at quarterback, who also started for an injured Newton in Carolina's Week 1 win over the Bucs.

Panthers head coach Ron Rivera thinks Anderson's experience in that game could help give him a level of comfort and confidence heading into this rematch, according to Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times:

"I think that's a plus that he's played (against the Bucs) and will have confidence going into this game. He's a veteran who has done a nice job throughout his career. … He's a savvy guy. We'll try to do what he does best."

Will Anderson take his record against the Bucs this season to 2-0, or will Tampa Bay get revenge on its division foes on the road?

Here's everything you need to know heading into this week's game.

Bucs' Week 14 Recap

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Tampa Bay got roughed up on the road last week, falling to the Detroit Lions 34-17 to drop to 2-11 on the season.

After four straight weeks of holding opposing quarterbacks in check, the Bucs let Matthew Stafford have a field day against their secondary, as the former No. 1 overall pick threw for 311 yards and three touchdowns, with no interceptions.

Calvin Johnson showed his dominant capabilities, leading the team with eight catches for 158 yards and a score. 

On the ground, Joique Bell led the Lions with 83 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries, also grabbing his first career touchdown reception on a pass that was deflected at the line of scrimmage by a Tampa Bay defender.

Josh McCown was hit early and often, getting sacked six times and knocked down on countless other dropbacks. The veteran completed just 20 of his 39 passes for 250 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, struggling to find a rhythm behind shaky protection.

Tampa Bay's receivers were the brightest spot of the afternoon for Bucs fans. Vincent Jackson led the team with a season-high 10 catches for 158 yards, while rookie Mike Evans hauled in two more touchdown passes, giving him 10 on the season.

A five-yard scoring strike from McCown to Evans brought the Bucs within seven points just before the half, but that's as close as they would get for the rest of the afternoon. A 10-0 third quarter helped Detroit stretch its lead, and Bell's touchdown catch put the game away late in the fourth.

News and Notes

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Cam's Close Call

Carolina quarterback Cam Newton was involved in a scary car accident earlier this week, suffering multiple fractures in his back and putting his timetable for returning to the field in jeopardy.

But ask Newton, and he'll tell you he's not terribly concerned with when he'll make his return to football, nor does he want his ordeal to be a distraction to the team, according to David Newton of ESPN.com:

"

As far as when I'm coming back, who cares. That's not something I'm worried about. I'm just thankful to have breath in my lungs so I can breathe again.

[...]

One thing I don't want to happen and see it happening already, this becoming a distraction. I'm looking forward to seeing Bank [of] America [Stadium] being as hyped as they've been this whole year. I'm anticipating a big win for these guys.

"

Newton suffered a similar injury to the one experienced by Tony Romo earlier this season, and the Cowboys quarterback only missed one game. It remains to be seen how long Newton will be out, but he's clearly got a bigger picture on his mind at the moment.

Suck for the Duck? Waste It for Winston?

With Tampa Bay currently leading the race for the No. 1 overall pick in next year's draft, many fans are already clamoring for the Bucs to pack it in, hoping the team can land one of the top passers in this year's class.

But obviously, head coach Lovie Smith will have none of that talk, saying his team is still focused on winning games this season, per Roy Cummings of The Tampa Tribune:

"

What I’ve talked to the team about is that you come to work and try to win every week. So, it would be pretty hard to tell the guys, ‘Hey, we’re looking towards the 2015 season.’ The future is not here right now. This is the 2014 season, and we feel like we can still get things accomplished. Within the organization, we’re all on board with what we’re going to do with these last games.

"

It's hard to blame fans for salivating over the possibility of Oregon's Marcus Mariota or Florida State's Jameis Winston donning the Pewter & Red next season, but they're kidding themselves if they truly believe any NFL team is willing to lose games in order to get them.

McCown Still the Starter

With the continued ineffectiveness of the Tampa Bay offense, rumblings had already begun to surface about the Bucs making yet another quarterback switch, going back to Mike Glennon for the final three games of the season.

But Smith gave his veteran starter a vote of confidence this week, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times:

"

Just like every other week, the guys that start are the guys that give us the best chance to win. That's not going to change. Week 16 it will be the same way. We may tweak here or there on some of the things. Josh is our quarterback and gives us the best chance to win.

"

At this point, it makes little sense for the Bucs to switch back to Glennon, who had his own struggles during his stretch of starts this season.

It sounds like Smith is going to keep McCown under center for the final three games of the year, which should at least give the Bucs some stability under center down the stretch.

Injury Report

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Player	Position	Injury Status
Gerald McCoy	DT	Limited Participant
Lavonte David	LB	Limited Participant
Mason Foster	LB	Limited Participant
Clinton McDonald	DT	Did Not Participate
Anthony Collins	OT	Full Participant
Bobby Rainey	RB	Limited Participant
Austin Seferian-Jenkins	TE	Limited Participant
Brandon Myers	TE	Full Participant
Major Wright	S	Did Not Participate

*All injury statuses courtesy of Buccaneers.com, based on participation in Thursday's practice.

Tampa Bay's injury report has stayed close to this length nearly every week this season, and there are some big names to keep an eye on again this week.

McCoy (knee) and David (concussion) are obviously the most notable, and while limited participation in Thursday's practice should be a good sign, I wouldn't count on either of them playing just yet.

Danny Lansanah played well in David's absence earlier this season, and there's no need for the Bucs to rush one of their best young players back too soon from a head injury. Depth at defensive tackle would be a concern if McCoy can't go on Sunday, but again, there's no reason to risk it with McCoy.

Speaking of thin, the Bucs have been pretty skinny at tight end over the past two weeks, but it looks like both Myers (calf) and Seferian-Jenkins (back) could make their returns this week and be active for the game. If either still can't go this week, expect rookie Cameron Brate to take one of those active spots.

Rainey (ankle) hasn't seen much action in the running game lately, so regardless of his status for Sunday's game, expect Doug Martin and rookie Charles Sims to still split the lion's share of the touches in the backfield.

Wright (ribs) was downgraded on Thursday after being a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, which could leave the Bucs thin at safety this week. If Wright can't go, look for Bradley McDougald to start in this place opposite Dashon Goldson.

It looks like Collins (elbow) will return to his starting spot at left tackle this week, and he's been able to fully practice all week.

Foster (Achilles) was able to participate some on Thursday after missing Wednesday's practice, which bodes well for his chances of starting in the middle this week.

X-Factor and Matchups to Watch

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Panthers front seven vs. Bucs offensive line

Tampa Bay's biggest weakness this season has been the play of the offensive line, which struggled mightily against Detroit's stout defensive front last week.

The line won't get much rest this week, either, as Carolina brings its own formidable front seven, led by last year's NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Luke Kuechly.

The Panthers are strongest up the middle, which will make it very difficult for Tampa Bay's weak line to win the line of scrimmage and set the tone in both the running and passing games.

Bucs' pass rush vs. Derek Anderson

Anderson was able to pick apart the Bucs secondary in Week 1, mostly due to the lack of pressure brought by Tampa Bay's front four.

The Bucs have improved in the pass-rushing department over the season, with waiver-wire wonder Jacquies Smith helping light the fire. If the Bucs want to avoid a repeat of their season-opening home loss, they need to get after Anderson and keep him uncomfortable.

Bucs receivers vs. Panthers secondary

The Panthers secondary was seen as a weakness heading into this season, but it has done well when it comes to limiting big plays in the passing game. So far this year, Carolina has only allowed four passing plays of 40 yards or more.

Even in a losing effort last week, both Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson proved they can still be a dynamic receiving duo that can stretch the field and make plays in the red zone.

The Bucs will have their best shot at winning this week if their big-bodied pass-catchers can buck the trend and log some big plays down the field.

Bucs' X-Factor of the Week: CB Johnthan Banks

Carolina has one of the league's many rookie standouts at receiver in Kelvin Benjamin, who boasts a rare blend of size and athleticism that makes him a nightmare for smaller corners to defend.

But the Bucs might have just the weapon to shut him down in Banks, who is among the league's taller corners at 6'2".

The second-year pro out of Mississippi State has emerged as the Bucs' top cover man this year, and his size will be relied upon this week to help keep the Panthers from making big plays down the field or in the red zone.

Prediction

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The Bucs won't have to face Cam Newton, but that didn't do much to help them the first time around, and it might not matter this week, either.

Tampa Bay is playing for pride at this point, trying to spoil Carolina's chances of stealing the NFC South title. But the Bucs are banged up, on the road and have been absolutely awful at sustaining a rhythm on offense and finishing games off late.

Much like their Week 1 matchup, the Bucs might stay in this one for a good while, but expect the Panthers' defensive front to force Josh McCown into a enough mistakes to seal this one in the fourth quarter.

Prediction: Panthers 17, Bucs 13