Ahead of the official NFL schedule release, leaks surrounding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ slate continue to trickle out.
In the latest reveal via NerdingonNFL, the Buccaneers will host the NFC South rival Carolina Panthers on Monday Night Football in a showdown that could have massive playoff implications.
The two teams battled for the NFC South crown last season, and the race came all the way down to Week 18. This year’s late-season matchup could ultimately decide who goes to the playoffs.
Bucs’ Week 12 matchup against Panthers on Monday Night Football is a must-win game
It’s great to see the NFL showing the NFC South some love, giving the division’s two best teams from last season a chance in the national spotlight.
There’s some intriguing storylines, with the Bucs facing their former offensive coordinator Dave Canales, and Baker Mayfield getting to go against his former team. Another fun layer is that both Mayfield and Panthers quarterback Bryce Young are former No. 1 overall picks.
And while the storylines are certainly intriguing, that’s for media pundits and fans. For the Bucs, the only storyline that matters is that they absolutely must win this game to return to the playoffs.
Last season, both teams finished 8-9. They split their season series, with both games coming down to the wire. The Panthers won the first matchup 23-20 while the Bucs won the second matchup 16-14.
The two teams are evenly-matched and highly-competitive, which make this high-stakes matchup must-see TV. The NFL made a great choice broadcasting this showdown to the national audience.
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