While Cam Newton's dustup with Ed Hochuli has garnered most of the headlines this week, it's important to remember the Carolina Panthers are one of seven undefeated clubs in the NFL this season. They will look to improve to 4-0 with a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium, where the Bucs have lost 10 consecutive games.
Panthers vs. Buccaneers 2015 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
The Panthers look to remain undefeated while extending the Buccaneers’ home losing streak to 11 games.
Newton played exceptionally well in the Panthers' 27-22 victory over the New Orleans Saints last week, going 20-of-31 passing for 315 yards and two touchdown passes. It was his best performance of the season, and he'll look to carry that momentum over against a struggling Tampa Bay defense.
Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the Panthers' undefeated start to the season is that they're doing this without star wideout Kelvin Benjamin, who tore his ACL in training camp. Tight end Greg Olsen has been Newton's favorite target this year, and he caught eight passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns last week.
The Carolina defense has also been shorthanded this season -- star linebacker Luke Kuechly has been out of action ever since suffering a concussion in Week 1. He missed practice Wednesday and has been ruled out for Week 4. With the Panthers scheduled for a bye in Week 5, it may be wise to rest Kuechly for one more game, which would give him a full month to recover.
The Panthers also suffered a blow to their defensive line last week when top pass rusher Charles Johnson injured his hamstring. Johnson was placed on injured reserve this week, which resulted in Carolina acquiring Jared Allen from the Chicago Bears Monday. Chicago will pick up $11.5 million of Allen's salary, meaning the Panthers will just have to pay a paltry $823,000. Suffice to say, Johnson was a big fan of the trade.
Nice move by the panthers!!!
— charles johnson (@randywattson) September 28, 2015 Allen and the rest of the Panthers' defensive line will set their sights on Jameis Winston, who struggled mightily in the Bucs' 19-9 loss to the Houston Texans last week. He went 17-of-36 for 261 yards with a touchdown and interception in the defeat.
But as bad as Winston looked, the loss can't entirely be blamed on him. The Bucs' defense couldn't get off the field, allowing 186 rushing yards to the Texans. As a result, Houston ran 27 more offensive plays than Tampa Bay.
The difference in the game came down to the Buccaneers' ineptness on special teams. Rookie kicker Kyle Brindza made a 58-yard field goal to start his day, but missed an extra point and three more field goal attempts. After that debacle of a performance, head coach Lovie Smith might opt to be more aggressive on fourth down when the Bucs are in field goal range.
Points could be at a premium for the Buccaneers Sunday, considering the Panthers have allowed the seventh-fewest yards in the league this season. If Tampa Bay leaves points on the field like it did last week, this could turn into a lopsided affair. The team’s home losing streak is in jeopardy of extending to 11 games.
How to Watch
When: 1 p.m. ET
Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla.
TV: FOX
Announcers: Chris Myers, Ronde Barber, Jennifer Hale
Online: NFL Game Pass
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