4 crucial matchups the Panthers must win vs. Buccaneers in Week 16

What are some key matchups that will decide the victor between the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 16?

To say that a Week 15 loss by the Carolina Panthers was unexpected would be a lie. But it is still frustrating because of how it happened.

This Panthers season has been trademarked by disappointment and head-scratching moments, which was perfectly shown by a certain fourth-down play call at the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

That play aside, the team has consistently beaten themselves, and from a purely skill-based perspective, the talent is there for a much better record. When the blame isn’t on the players, it can only go one other place.

Coaching.

The fanbase has been taxed to its limit over the past couple of seasons. There are no more scapegoats, no more excuses, no more injuries to blame for a poor finish. Even if Christian McCaffrey was healthy the end result would be no different.

Carolina Panthers must focus on planning for next season.

Gone is the time for playing to win a playoff spot, it’s time to focus on next year and what the team can learn out of another lost season.

Only one thing can bring life back to a team that is leaking fans at an alarming rate – get a shocking win. Nothing would be more electrifying than getting a victory against the defending champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers in what could quite possibly be Cam Newton’s last home game as a Panther.

This will be no easy task, as the Panthers are certainly not a team many would give a chance at even keeping the game respectable. Nevertheless, there are some matchups that Carolina can win and make this shocking victory a much easier proposition.

So without further ado, let’s take a look at four crucial matchups the will decide the victor in Week 16.