Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera came to the team with the promise that he'd turn the defense around, and quickly. That didn't go as planned and some thought he was on the hot seat heading into the 2013-14 season. Fortunately for the Panthers, Rivera got the time he needed, and they're now one of the best defenses in the NFL, poised to dominate the NFC South.
How to watch Panthers vs. Buccaneers 2014: Time, TV schedule, online streaming, radio and more
Cam Newton is the key to Sunday’s matchup between the Panthers and the Buccaneers. If Tampa Bay can get to him, they might just score an early NFC South upset.
Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
Comparatively, the rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers have so much more to prove, but made some significant changes this offseason which should help them on both side of the ball. That started with a shakeup in the front office, bringing in head coach Lovie Smith. The past few hires have been seen as up-and-comers, but Smith is an established guy who will bring immediate discipline to what has been considered a talented but under-utilized unit.
The two teams will meet on Sunday for their season opener. If the Buccaneers are going to make a statement this year, there’s no better place then at home against a divisional rival in the opener.
How to watch
Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa
When: 4:25 p.m. ET
TV: FOX
Announcers: Chris Myers, Ronde Barber
Radio: WFUS 103.5 FM, WDAE 620 AM (Buccaneers), Panthers Radio Network
Online streaming: Fox Sports Go (local markets), NFL Sunday Ticket
Nuts and bolts
For the Panthers, the biggest immediate issue is quarterback Cam Newton. He had offseason ankle surgery and fractured several ribs during the preseason. He's been at practice, but has been wearing special pads designed to protect his ribs. He's a very mobile quarterback, but that aspect of his game could be lacking on Sunday. Newton has an entirely new group of receivers to work with and to keep the load off his legs, though Jerricho Cotchery, Jason Avant and rookie Kelvin Benjamin aren't the most solid group in the league.
The Buccaneers will certainly put a focus on getting to Newton and making him uncomfortable. Smith is a defensive-minded coach, and with Leslie Frazier there to assist him, they should be able to make the best of the pieces they have. Those pieces include guys like Gerald McCoy, Alterraun Verner, Mark Barron and Dashon Goldson.
Carolina’s defense is as solid as they get, but this game could easily come down to how well the Buccaneers manage to harass Newton throughout the game.
Further reading
For more on the Buccaneers, head over to Bucs Nation. For more on the Panthers, Cat Scratch Reader has you covered.
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