NFL Preview: Tampa Bay Buccaneers trying to avoid second-straight upset at Carolina Panthers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be looking to avoid a second straight upset loss when they travel to Carolina to face the Panthers on Sunday.

Here’s everything you need to know about this NFC South matchup:

Christian McCaffrey dealt to 49ers

If the Panthers weren’t already in full tank mode, they certainly are now after trading away star running back Christian McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers.

While that might make things more challenging for the Bucs down the road (they face the 49ers in Week 14, and could be competing with them for playoff seeding), it should make Sunday’s task an even easier one, as Carolina will be missing their most dynamic offensive weapon.

The Panthers already have the league’s worst record through the first six weeks of the season, and their chances of upsetting the Bucs just got even smaller.

Bucs looking to bounce back

Tampa Bay’s crushing loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 6 sure felt like rock-bottom for a team that was favored by many to win the NFC this season.

The Bucs have struggled all year on offense (thanks in large part to key injuries), while the defense has been inconsistent in recent weeks. If ever there was a prime opportunity to bounce back and right the ship, the Bucs have one against the struggling Panthers.

That said, last week’s game felt like a similar opportunity, and the Bucs weren’t able to take advantage. This time, it’s against a division rival, making a victory even more important.

Tampa Bay injury updates: Jones, Hicks still out

The Bucs have ruled out four players for Sunday’s game: Wide receiver Julio Jones (knee), defensive lineman Akiem Hicks (foot), cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting (quad) and tight end Cameron Brate (neck).

Safety Mike Edwards is “on track” to return Sunday after missing last week’s game with an elbow injury.

The Panthers have eight players listed as questionable for Sunday’s game, while quarterback Baker Mayfield (ankle) and defensive lineman Matt Ioannidis (neck/concussion protocol) are both listed as doubtful. PJ Walker is expected to start at quarterback again this week for the Panthers.

Key matchups to watch

Panthers DL Derrick Brown vs. Bucs G Luke Goedeke & C Robert Hainsey

Much of Tampa Bay’s offensive struggles can be attributed to its lack of experience at left guard at center. Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen is still out indefinitely with a knee injury, and Pro Bowl left guard Ali Marpet surprisingly retired in the offseason, leaving the Bucs with a pair of blockers in their place who had never started an NFL game coming into this year. Brown is one of the league’s better interior defenders, and could feast on the Tampa Bay backfield if Hainsey and Goedeke don’t improve their play in a big way.

Panthers WR D.J. Moore vs. Bucs CB Carlton Davis III

Moore is the last star remaining on this offense after McCaffrey’s departure, so it won’t be surprising if Walker tries to feed him early and often, especially with quick passes that will allow him to take advantage of his explosiveness after the catch. Davis was given a hefty three-year extension this offseason, and will want to prove he was worth it by shutting down Moore and limiting his big plays through the air.

Bucs WR Mike Evans vs. Panthers CB Jaycee Horn

The Panthers loved Horn so much in the 2021 NFL draft that they passed up the top quarterbacks available to make sure they got him with their top-10 selection. He missed most of his rookie season, but when healthy, Horn has looked every bit the part of a potential shutdown corner. He’ll face a tall task Sunday (literally and figuratively) in Evans, a future Hall of Famer who should be heavily involved in the game plan this week after seeing just four targets in Week 6.

Panthers DE Brian Burns vs. Bucs OTs Donovan Smith & Tristan Wirfs

When the Panthers fired head coach Matt Rhule, Burns was likely the name at the top of every other team’s list in terms of gauging Carolina’s willingness to start a fire sale. Parting with Burns seems unlikely, as elite pass rushers with his explosiveness and bend are extremely hard to find. Tampa Bay has one of the better offensive tackle pairings in the NFL with the All-Pro Wirfs and the durable Smith, but they’ll both be tested all game long by Burns’ length and athleticism.

Luke Easterling's Prediction

It’s easy to see this game as a walk in the part for the Bucs, but we all thought that last week, too. The Christian McCaffrey trade gives the Bucs even fewer excuses not to dominate their NFC South rivals in this game, but they’ve had too many of their own struggles to feel comfortable predicting a blowout here. Tampa Bay is still banged up on both sides of the ball, but the Bucs should be highly motivated to prove they can separate themselves from this week’s inferior opponent.

Bucs 27, Panthers 19.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Tampa Bay Buccaneers play Carolina Panthers in NFL game