Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers live stream, preview: Must-win for home-field advantage
The Carolina Panthers suffered their first loss in the season against the Atlanta Falcons but at 14-1 and the regular season coming to a close, it certainly looks like they're secured of a favorable spot in the playoffs. However, the team's practice indicates that there is something to worry about more than just dashing their hopes of finishing undefeated.
The thing is if they cannot redeem themselves in this game, they might be looking at surrendering home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs. And yes, that's actually possible.
If the Panthers win against the Buccaneers, who unfortunately are struggling mightily, then they guarantee themselves of the top seed and home-field advantage all throughout the NFC playoffs. Hence, this game has a lot at stake. If only they managed to win against Atlanta several days ago, they could have rested their main contributors.
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But they're here now, and their previous win against the Bucs in Week 4 is proving to be a crucial one heading into this game. Carolina won, 37-23, but not before Tampa Bay made life difficult for them, allowing only 244 yards. Cam Newton's performance will once again serve as the barometer in this matchup, particularly that Jonathan Stewart is still nursing his foot injury.
And if home-field advantage for the entirety of the NFC playoffs is the Panthers' motivation, the Bucs on the other hand just want to avoid becoming the first team from the NFC since way back 1970 to end the season at the bottom of the division for five straight years. It doesn't help as well that they've lost three in a row before tomorrow's game. Doug Martin and Jameis Winston are two of the few positives for Tampa Bay this year and the team is hoping to ride on both to pull off an upset against the Panthers.
Game Info
Venue: Bank of America Stadium
Date: Sunday, Jan.3
Time: 4:25 pm
TV Coverage: FOX
Live stream: NFL Game Pass
