Game 17

Bucs (8-8) at Stinking Panthers (2-14) 

Kickoff: 1 p.m.

TV: FOX (WTVT-TV Channel 13 locally) with Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma and Shannon Spake.

Streaming: NFL Sunday Ticket (YouTubeTV) and NFL+. (Geographic restrictions apply. Subscription may be required).

Radio: Buccaneers Radio Network WXTB-FM 97.9 in the Tampa-St. Petersburg region (Transmisiones de radio en español en WTMP-FM 96.1 y WMGG-AM 1470 en Tampa). Additional stations throughout Florida on the Buccaneers Radio Network can be found here. The game also will be broadcast on SiriusXM Channels 138 or 383 (Buccaneers Radio Network feed).

Weather: Chilly day but not awful for January in North Carolina. The morning will start cold with tailgaters braving temperatures in the low 40s. By kickoff, expect the temperature to be 52 and then rise to 55 by the third quarter. By game’s end, expect the temperature to be 52. It will be breezy to begin the game but winds will rapidly pick up in the second half with gusts hitting 25 mph in the fourth quarter. All under mostly cloudy skies.

Odds: Per BetMGM, as of midnight, Bucs -4 (-225); over/under 36.5.

Referees: Clete Bakeman and his gang will work today’s game. The numbers Bakeman and his outfit may be the most fair of all NFL referee crews, per Joe Gibbs of Sharp Football Analysis. Home teams have a .500 record with Bakeman. That’s what Joe calls down the middle. For Joe’s short-term investment brokers, home teams’ moneylines with Bakeman’s posse since 2016 are 59-56.

Injuries: Bucs — Doubtful: LB K.J. Britt (calf). Questionable: CB Carlton Davis (concussion), OLB Cam Gill (knee), WR Rakim Jarrett (quadriceps), TE Ko Kieft (shoulder), QB Baker Mayfield (ribs), WR Trey Palmer (hip). Stinking Panthers — Out: OLB Marquis Haynes (concussion). Doubtful: G Cade Mays (finger), K Eddie Pineiro (right hamstring). Questionable: LB Tae Davis (illness), CB Jaycee Horn (toe).

Outlook: OK Bucs fans, here it is. Drama! It doesn’t get any more important for a regular season game than this. Win and you are in. Tie and you may get in. Lose and it is time to hit the islands (or back up the U-Haul). Here is how the Bucs can clinch a playoff berth, it’s real simple: If the Bucs win they capture the NFC South title for an unprecedented third straight year. A win and the Bucs will host a playoff game next weekend. If the Bucs tie, there are still two ways to get into the playoffs. The Bucs could still win the division with a tie but would need the slimy Saints to lose or tie. If that doesn’t happen, the Bucs can still be a wild card team with a tie but both the Seahawks would have to lose and Green Bay must lose or tie. Anything else with a tie, the Bucs are cleaning out their lockers at One Buc Palace tomorrow. As for the game, look, the Stinking Panthers are horrible. If the Bucs don’t turn the ball over they should win. Carolina’s offense is a joke. They can’t block. Receivers can’t get open. They can run a little bit up the middle. The only way Joe can see the Bucs losing if they turn the ball over or the constant run, run, run of the offense keeps the Stinking Panthers in the game. C’mon Bucs, stomp on their damn throats. If the Bucs lose today, Joe wouldn’t blame Team Glazer if heads roll on Black Monday tomorrow.

Fun facts: QB Baker Mayfield is eighth in the league in passing with 3,907 yards, needing just 93 yards to reach 4,000 yards in a season. He currently is having his best season in the NFL in passing yards. Mayfield also aims for his fifth game in a row with two or more touchdown passes. … WR Mike Evans needs just two touchdown catches for a personal season-best. He currently leads the NFL with 13 touchdowns. … WR Chris Godwin needs 37 yards to reach 1,000 receiving yards for the third straight season. is looking for his fifth-straight game against the slimy Saints with six or more catches. …  ILB Lavonte David has eight tackles for loss in his last five road games. … OLB YaYa Diaby leads all rookies with 12 tackles for loss. … S Antoine Winfield is the only NFL player since 2000 with 100+ tackles (117), 10+ passes defended (12), 5+ sacks (5) and five or more forced fumbles.

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