3 reasons the Carolina Panthers can shock the Buccaneers in Week 16
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers have extra motivation
The Carolina Panthers have another losing season confirmed. But that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be extra motivated to pull off one of the league’s biggest shocks when they clash with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
First of all, this is a divisional matchup, so there is no love lost between the two rivals. And as we have seen plenty in 2021, form goes out of the window in games like this.
Secondly, this is the final home contest of the campaign. Carolina’s long-suffering support hasn’t had much to cheer at Bank of America Stadium, with a series of disappointing losses against teams that they should beat raising further questions about the current direction of the franchise.
Third, and perhaps most important, there is a high chance this will be Cam Newton‘s final home game as a member of the Panthers. Sam Darnold is active and according to Ian Rappaport of the NFL Network, set to play a lot, before assuming starting responsibilities over the final two games of the season.
Fans didn’t get the opportunity to give the former NFL MVP a proper send-off when he was released the first time. Newton’s bombshell return gives them a chance to do things the right way and who knows, it might even inspire his teammates to some improved production.