Buccaneers vs. Panthers Preview: How to Watch and Key Matchups

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will host the Carolina Panthers in a pivotal NFC South matchup on Sunday, December 29, 2024, at 1:00 PM ET, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. With playoff aspirations on the line, this game promises to be an exciting encounter as both teams strive for a strong finish to the season.

How to Watch the Game

• Date: December 29, 2024
• Kickoff: 1:00 PM ET
• Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
• Network: CBS

Live Streaming Options:

• DirecTV Stream: Free trial available.
• fuboTV: Free trial available, subscriptions starting at $79.99/month.
• Sling TV: 50% off your first month, starting as low as $23.

Fans can also listen to the game on WXTB 97.9 FM in Tampa Bay. The Spanish broadcast is available on WTMP LA INVASORA 1150 AM.

Recent Team Performance

The Buccaneers are coming off a close loss to the Cowboys but have excelled offensively this season, ranking third in overall offense with an average of 28.5 points per game. In comparison, the Panthers, struggling at 4-11, rank last in the league with 29.9 points allowed per game and have a dismal ranking of 30th in overall offense with just 18.9 points scored per game.

In their last encounter on December 1, the Buccaneers edged out a victory with a 26-23 overtime win in a hard-fought match. Tampa Bay has dominated the recent matchups, winning eight of the last nine games against Carolina.

Key Player Matchups

Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

• Baker Mayfield, QB: The former Panther has thrown for an impressive 3,920 passing yards and 34 touchdowns this season, demonstrating significant improvement since leaving Carolina.
• Bucky Irving, RB: With 920 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns, Irving has been a force in the running game and is expected to exploit the Panthers' weak run defense.
• Mike Evans, WR: Closing in on his 11th consecutive season with over 1,000 receiving yards, Evans has a history of big games against Carolina, making him a crucial target in the passing game.

Carolina Panthers:

• Bryce Young, QB: The rookie has struggled but aims to showcase improvement; he has 1,949 passing yards with 10 touchdowns this season.
• Chuba Hubbard, RB: Coming off a strong performance with 152 rushing yards against the Cardinals, he will be looking for redemption against a formidable Buccaneers' defense.

Offensive and Defensive Stats

• Buccaneers Offense: Ranked 3rd in the NFL in passing yards (246.1) and 7th in rushing yards (143.6).
• Panthers Defense: Last in the league for run defense, allowing an average of 200 rushing yards in the last seven games. Their secondary has been slightly better, ranking 10th in passing defense.

Betting Odds

The Buccaneers are favored by 8 points. Given their recent performance and home advantage, they are expected to maintain their strong form against Carolina.

Conclusion

As the Buccaneers strive to secure a playoff spot and the Panthers seek to end their disappointing season on a high note, fans can expect a hard-fought game. Make sure to tune in to CBS or check out the various streaming options to catch all the action!

Additional Notes

Don't forget to follow the official Buccaneers' social media accounts for real-time updates, highlights, and pre-game analysis.