Today at 1:00 p.m. ET the Carolina Panthers (8-3) will look to stay red hot when they take on the surging Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-8) at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Fox. Live stream the game here; Bucs fans can listen to the game on 620 WDAE, while Panthers fans can hear the action on WBT 1110 AM.
Cam Newton has engineered two straight game-winning drives to extend Carolina's winning streak to seven, and makes no apologies for victories that are less than scintillating. "It may not be pretty," Newton said, "but at the end of the game we get that three-letter word, and that's gorgeous."
Head coach Ron Rivera says the Panthers' emergence has happened because of other things in addition to Newton's development. "I think it has a lot to do with us growing up," Rivera told the team's official website. "It's the growth of our quarterback and our offensive unit and the growth of our defensive unit as well. These guys understand what it takes now and they're still learning and growing and getting better and better."
Indeed, Carolina's defense should get as much credit as Newton. They're allowing just 13.7 points per game, and have terrorized quarterbacks week after week with tenacious defensive line play.
That could spell trouble for Tampa Bay rookie quarterback Mike Glennon, who has earned praise from head coach Greg Schiano for his heady play. "He's playing at a higher level than you would expect of a rookie," Schiano said.
Tampa Bay might be without All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis this week, who injured his groin guarding Calvin Johnson of the Lions in Week 12. That could put more burden on Glennon if Steve Smith is able to pick apart Tampa's weakened secondary.
Buccaneers Injury Report:
G |
Foot |
Did Not Participate In Practice |
Out |
|
G |
Knee |
Full Participation in Practice |
Probable |
|
|
LB |
Concussion |
Full Participation in Practice |
Probable |
G |
Ankle |
Full Participation in Practice |
Probable |
|
LB |
Foot |
Full Participation in Practice |
Probable |
|
|
DT |
Wrist |
Full Participation in Practice |
Probable |
CB |
Groin |
Limited Participation in Practice |
Questionable |
Panthers Injury Report:
RB |
Knee |
Limited Participation in Practice |
Questionable |
|
RB |
Thigh |
Did Not Participate In Practice |
Questionable |
|
TE |
Knee |
Did Not Participate In Practice |
Doubtful |
|
DE |
Knee |
Out (Definitely Will Not Play) |
Out |
|
LB |
Foot |
Limited Participation in Practice |
Questionable |
|
G |
Knee |
Out (Definitely Will Not Play) |
Out |
|
RB |
Ankle |
Limited Participation in Practice |
Questionable |
|
WR |
Knee |
Full Participation in Practice |
Probable |
|
T |
Not Injury Related |
Full Participation in Practice |
Probable |
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