Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds previews the upcoming Bucs game with six quick-hitting topics. What’s at stake for the Bucs and their opponent, what will lead to a Tampa Bay victory or loss, and a couple of key matchups to watch each week.

Tampa Bay couldn’t win back-to-back games and blew a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter, losing at home to Pittsburgh in overtime, 26-19. The Bucs are now 1-5 on the year and begin divisional play by traveling to Carolina to face the 3-2 Panthers, who won the NFC South last year at 8-9. It’s only Week 7, but the Buccaneers are already in must-win mode.

What’s At Stake For The Bucs

For the 1-5 Buccaneers, Sunday’s trip to Carolina represents a critical opportunity to keep their season from slipping away. Tampa Bay enters Week 7 trailing the 3-2 Panthers in the NFC South, but with all six division games still ahead, there’s time to make up ground. Yet a loss on Sunday would leave Todd Bowles’ team facing an increasingly difficult climb. The Bucs have shown they can compete, but Tampa Bay’s biggest problem is finishing games. Carolina presents a significant challenge for Bowles, who is on the hot seat, and his players.

Bryce Young has thrown for 1,549 yards and 11 touchdowns, with just two interceptions, while the Panthers have averaged 29.2 points per game with Brad Idzik calling plays, ranking fourth in the NFL. Tampa Bay’s offense, meanwhile, has averaged 18 points per game and new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson has come under fire. The status of Baker Mayfield, who is working back from a thumb injury, adds another layer of uncertainty. If the Bucs can protect the football, run the ball effectively, pressure Young, and finish the game, they can keep their season alive for one more week.

Bucs HC Todd Bowles and Panthers HC Dave Canales – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Bob Donnan

What’s At Stake For The Panthers

For the Panthers, Sunday’s matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is about protecting their position atop the NFC South and proving their 3-2 start is no fluke. Carolina has an opportunity to create more separation from a division rival that is reeling at 1-5. A victory for the Panthers would improve their record to 4-2 and strengthen their early-season grip on the division race. A loss, however, would give Tampa Bay a much-needed lifeline.

The Panthers’ strength is their offense, which ranks third in the NFL in points with 29.2 per game and third in average yards per game with 405.8. Bryce Young is playing with confidence and is even being mentioned as a possible MVP candidate at this point of the season. Carolina’s defense needs to rise up and play better, especially against the run if it wants to start running away in the NFC South. The Panthers must capitalize on scoring opportunities with touchdowns and avoid giving the Bucs hope. Sunday is a chance to establish Dave Canales and the Panthers as legitimate contenders in the NFC South once again.

Panthers QB Bryce Young and HC Dave Canales – Photo by: USA Today

The Bucs Win If…

The Buccaneers need a balanced offensive attack and to win the turnover battle to leave Charlotte with a much-needed division victory. As Todd Bowles said, this team has little margin for error, and Carolina’s defensive vulnerabilities offer an opportunity to get back on track. The formula starts with Bucky Irving, as Carolina’s defense has struggled to stop the run, ranking 27th in the NFL. Establishing Irving early would help control the clock, keep the Panthers offense on the sideline and create play-action opportunities. Tampa Bay also must protect the football and turn promising drives into touchdowns instead of settling for field goals.

Defensively, containing Bryce Young is the top priority. The Panthers quarterback has thrown for 1,268 yards and nine touchdowns with only two interceptions, making him one of the NFL’s most productive passers. Tampa Bay had five sacks last week and must keep up the pressure, getting to Young consistently while preventing explosive plays to wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan and tight ends Darren Waller and Tommy Tremble. Delivering in the red zone and creating at least two takeaways could turn a desperate road trip into a season-saving division win.

Bucs DT Vita Vea and Panthers QB Bryce Young – Photo by: IMAGN – Bob Donnan

The Panthers Win If…

Carolina has momentum after its road victory over Philadelphia, and the Panthers need to take advantage of a Buccaneers team that has struggled to finish games. Offensively, everything starts with Bryce Young and the running game. Young is averaging 309.8 passing yards per game, leading the NFL, with 11 touchdown passes and just two interceptions through five games. Carolina should continue attacking downfield with Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker while using Chuba Hubbard to keep Tampa Bay’s defense honest.

Defensively, Carolina must contain Bucky Irving and force Tampa Bay into predictable passing situations. The Panthers rank 27th in rushing defense, allowing 132.2 yards per game with a league-worst 5.12 yards per carry. That vulnerability makes stopping Irving a priority after his 165-yard rushing performance against Dallas. Whether it’s rookie Jalon Daniels again this week or Baker Mayfield making his return to action, Carolina must also pressure the quarterback without sacrificing coverage discipline.

Panthers WR Tetairoa McMillan – Photo by: IMAGN – Jim Dedmon

Bucs’ Key Matchup On Offense

Bucs Run Game vs. Panthers Run Defense

It would be too simplistic to suggest that it’s just running back Bucky Irving versus the Panthers porous run defense, as the Bucs offensive line, tight ends and wide receivers will play a role in any success Irving has on Sunday in Carolina. The Panthers rank dead last in allowing 5.12 yards per carry on the ground, and rank 27th in the league in rushing yards allowed with 132.2 yards per game in addition to eight rushing touchdowns.

The Bucs have only won one game this year, and that was when the team ran for a season high 241 yards on the ground at Dallas against the worst-ranked defense in the league. Irving had a career day with 165 yards in addition to one rushing touchdown and one receiving score. It might take a game plan – and execution – like that to keep Bryce Young, Chuba Hubbard and the Panthers’ high-scoring offense off the field in order for Tampa Bay to not just win its second game of the season, but also get its first division victory in 2026.

Bucs RB Bucky Irving – Photo by: IMAGN – Bob Donnan

Bucs’ Key Matchup On Defense

Bucs Pass Rush vs. Panthers QB Bryce Young

Carolina quarterback Bryce Young is having a very good season with 11 touchdowns and just two interceptions, but his accuracy is not quite where it was at last season with a career-high 63.6%. This year it’s at 60.2% and the Bucs defense cannot let Young get into a rhythm. That means affecting him in the pocket with pressures that lead to incompletions and/or interceptions and hopefully some sacks. Tampa Bay is coming off a game in which it had a season-high five sacks against Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Young is much more mobile, and even hurt the Bucs in Carolina in 2024 with a rushing touchdown inside the red zone. Containing Young and keeping him in the pocket with proper gap integrity will be key for Tampa Bay’s defensive linemen and blitzing linebackers and defensive backs. Todd Bowles and Co. cannot allow Young to have time to throw and hit 1,000-yard receiver Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker down the sidelines or tight ends Darren Waller and Tommy Tremble down the seams in the middle of the field. Waller and Tremble each have two touchdowns on the season and are premium red zone targets.

Panthers QB Bryce Young and Bucs DT Calijah Kancey – Photo by: USA Today