The Carolina Panthers cannot finish this season with an undefeated record as they lost to the Atlanta Falcons in their last game. But sitting at 14-1 on the season, they are obviously in great shape, though they somehow haven't yet locked down the No. 1 seed in the NFC, and need to pull out a win over the rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the regular season finale to ensure home-field advantage in the playoffs.
Buccaneers vs. Panthers 2016 live stream: Game time, TV schedule and how to watch online
The Panthers need a win to secure the top seed in the NFC.
If the Panthers lose on Sunday, the Arizona Cardinals can take the top seed in the conference with a win. That would give them home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, though the Panthers have already clinched a first-round bye, same as the Cardinals.
Still, home-field advantage could be huge, so Ron Rivera will not give Carolina’s starters a rest, especially with the first-round bye. Fighting for that home-field advantage is worth the risk of injury that comes with playing football.
Carolina was riding a 14-game winning streak before they fell to Atlanta, a team they beat in Week 14, 38-0. The Panthers simply came out flat and couldn’t keep up with the Falcons, losing 20-13. They’re hoping the same doesn’t happen when they play the Buccaneers for the second time this season.
The first time they played the Buccaneers, Cam Newton completed 11 of 22 passes for 124 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and he also added another 51 yards rushing. Jonathan Stewart added 50 yards of his own and the Panthers finished with 133 yards rushing. Tampa Bay played well, rushing for 141 yards and a touchdown of their own, but things fell apart when it came to turnovers.
Rookie first overall pick Jameis Winston completed 26 of 43 passes for 287 yards and a pair of touchdowns, which is fine, but the Panthers ate him up in the secondary and picked him off a total of four times. The Buccaneers also lost a fumble and the Panthers ended up winning the game, 37-23.
The Panthers and Buccaneers are at opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to turnovers. Carolina has 22 interceptions and 14 fumble recoveries, giving them 36 total turnovers. They have given up 10 interceptions and seven fumbles, for a total of 17. That’s a turnover differential of plus-19, first in the entire league. Tampa Bay is tied for 21st in the league with a differential of minus-four, with 21 takeaways and 25 giveaways.
Winston has shown flashes of strong play this season and the Buccaneers will feel confident in giving him some weapons this offseason. But for now, they would like to see him finish the season on a strong note after the Buccaneers have lost their last three games.
They played close to all of the New Orleans Saints, St. Louis Rams and Chicago Bears in those games, but a win would likely do a lot for Winston and how the Buccaneers feel about him going forward. On the season, Winston has completed 58.0 percent of his passes for 3,717 yards with 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
How to watch
When: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday
Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C.
TV: FOX
Commentators: Dick Stockton, David Diehl
Online: Watch NFL Live
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