For the first time in five years, the Carolina Panthers will be playing meaningful football in January.
Here’s how to tune in to Sunday’s huge matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Week 17
When to watch
Sunday, Jan. 1, 1:00 p.m. ET
How to watch
The game will be carried by FOX—with Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olsen, Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi on the mic. Fans located in the red areas of the television broadcast map can watch along through their local FOX affiliate.
How to stream
You can stream the game on FuboTV.
How to listen
WRFX 99.7 The FOX is the team’s local radio station. Anish Shroff, Jake Delhomme, Kristen Balboni and Jim Szoke will have the call.
History
Before Tom Brady stepped foot into the division in 2020, the Panthers held a 24-15 edge in the all-time series against the Buccaneers. Then, the three-time Most Valuable Player led a pair of sweeps to tighten that record up to 24-19.
But, Carolina has swiped back. Their most recent matchup, which went down back in Week 7, saw the Panthers dominate Brady and his Bucs—trampling their visiting rivals in a 21-3 victory.
What to watch for
That last meeting, the very first one in the post-Christian McCaffrey era, saw running backs D’Onta Foreman and Chuba Hubbard combine for 181 yards on just 24 carries. So—with both backs coming off career-highs in rushing yards in the Week 16 win over the Detroit Lions—can Carolina continue to dominate on the ground?
Plus, it’ll be Sam Darnold—not PJ Walker—under center for interim head coach Steve Wilks. The Panthers are 3-1 in Darnold’s starts, with the fifth-year quarterback committing a pleasantly surprising zero turnovers over that stretch.
To make it 4-1, the defense will have to shut down what’s already been a struggling Buccaneers offense. And if they don’t, it could mean curtains—as a loss would seal the NFC South for Tampa Bay.
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