Panthers vs. Buccaneers: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Radio, Game Time and More

The NFC South has been a bit of a disappointment this season, and the two teams playing on Sunday are the main culprits.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7) have taken a giant step backward after their surprising 10-6 run last year. The offense led by QB Josh Freeman has regressed and the defense is undisciplined and too inexperienced.

They welcome the Carolina Panthers (3-8) to town with the hopes of winning their second consecutive road game. QB Cam Newton was the talk of the league in the first month with his gaudy stats. Rookie of the year looked like a lock. Since then he has struggled to consistently put together long drives and is turning the ball over at a much higher rate. That’s never a good thing when your defense is devastated by injuries and your running game is wildly inconsistent. 

Here’s everything you need to know for a game that may determine who finishes in last place in the division:

Where: Raymond James Stadium

When: 1 p.m. EST

Watch: FOX

Listen: 620 WDAE in Tampa and 610 WFNZ in Charlotte and stream live here

Betting Line: Carolina @ Tampa Bay -3.5

(Spread courtesy of Covers.com)

The Panthers are a horrible road team and the line is not reflecting as much. One win against the Colts doesn’t disguise the fact their run defense gets manhandled on a weekly basis, causing them to lose the time-of-possession battle on a weekly basis.

I don’t trust the Panthers to come within a field goal of a team that is much more talented on paper.

Key Trends:

Favorite is 6-1 ATS in their last 7 meetings.

Buccaneers are 6-2-1 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.

Buccaneers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 vs. NFC South.

Fantasy Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em:

Bucs RB LeGarrette Blount is the main player to start in this one. He’s going up against a 28th-ranked rushing attack that has been carved to shreds by every opponent they’ve faced. Blount is going to bowl over the slow and mistake-prone Panther linebackers.

This game has the makings of a shootout, so I’d start everybody on these two teams. Newton and Steve Smith are obvious starts, and this week so is DeAngelo Williams. It seems he has regained the starter’s role over Jonathan Stewart and will be thrashing the Bucs' 30th-ranked run defense. 

Hopefully, you aren’t relying on Josh Freeman at this point, but he is facing the 15th-ranked passing attack so proceed with caution with a QB that is currently second in the NFL with 16 INTs.

What They’re Saying:

Offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski understands that first-year players tend to hit the proverbial rookie wall at a certain point during the 16-game slate, but hitting that wall isn’t an option for Newton according to Chudzinski:

"

When you're the starting quarterback, you can't have a wall. For those younger guys, that's the biggest adjustment coming into this league and the season goes a long time. You play four (exhibition) games and you haven't gotten to the season, yet.

"

Freeman has been in the news this week because word came out that he needed five stitches to cover up a gash on his throwing hand after a gun he shot unexpectedly recoiled. The mishap occurred on Halloween and just recently was discovered by the Tampa Bay Tribune:

"

It wasn't the smartest decision, but you've got to live with it.

"

Key Matchup:

Blount vs. Panthers front seven

The Panthers are a joke against the run and have really struggled with the bulkier backs that can bowl over opponents.

If the Panthers can give up 140 yards to journeyman Kevin Smith two weeks ago against the Lions, there are some real problems here. Carolina must limit Blount and allow the Panthers offense to control the clock for once. If not, it’s going to be a monster day for the Bucs back and the entire offense.

Prediction:

Newton is going to be a star in this league, but he has a lot of work to do in order to get there. He isn’t progressing and has watched fellow rookie QB Andy Dalton pass him in the chase for ROY.

He can’t handle life on the road in the NFL yet (Colts don't count), and it’s not going to happen in a divisional game.

The Bucs crushed the Panthers at home last year and while it won’t be a blowout, Freeman and Co. go home with a semi-comfortable victory.

Buccaneers 33 Panthers 26