Panthers head coach Matt Rhule has gone gray, literally, since getting hired.

When’s the last time the Bucs beat a division opponent the second time they faced them in a season?

You’d have to go back to 2018.

Those 4-7 Bucs took out a 6-5 Panthers team by a touchdown at the Den of Depression.

It’s unclear whether a pattern has emerged for division rivals getting their second look at the Bruce Arians Bucs during a season. But a definite answer will be available Sunday after the Bucs’ 2020 rematch with the Panthers.

Panthers beat writer Jonathan Alexander noted how the Panthers played their worst game this season in their Week 2 loss to the Bucs, even with Christian McCaffrey playing, which he won’t be on Sunday.

In the first Tampa Bay game, Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was under constant pressure. Carolina gave up 23 pressures and five sacks. Bridgewater often looked flustered in the pocket, and it played a big part in why the Panthers committed four turnovers (two fumbles, two interceptions).

The Panthers did a much better job of keeping Bridgewater upright against the Chiefs last week, which allowed the offense to put up 31 points against the defending Super Bowl champions.

… But the biggest issue for the Panthers continues to be penalties. In the Panthers’ 33-31 loss to the Chiefs last Sunday, the Panthers committed 12 penalties for 82 yards.

One of those penalties occurred late in the fourth quarter, and helped stymie a potentially game-winning drive.

Much like the Chargers, the Panthers have become masters at playing tough and losing. That was a skill honed in Tampa for a hearty handful of years during the Lost Decade. So Joe is very familiar with it. How many times did we hear that the Bucs lost a lot of one-score games so they were “this close” to being good.

Hopefully, the Panthers keep up their penalties and keep coming up short. Joe will take a win Sunday and a 7-3 Bucs record any way it comes.