Tampa Bay Buccaneers Summary

In preparation for their critical Week 16 matchup against the Carolina Panthers, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made several roster adjustments, activating veteran pass rusher Jason Pierre-Paul, who is set to play his first game since 2023.

This pivotal NFC South game sees the Buccaneers needing a strong performance from quarterback Baker Mayfield, who must outplay Panthers quarterback Bryce Young to establish dominance in the division. As the team faces the pressure of a midseason slump, coach Todd Bowles has come under scrutiny, with commentary noting that the Buccaneers have been among the most disappointing teams in the NFL over the past month and need to turn their fortunes around against the Panthers to keep their playoff hopes alive.

According to CBS Sports, many analysts, including Pete Prisco, predict that the Buccaneers will handle the Panthers effectively, although the team must address internal issues to rebound from their recent struggle.