The Panthers have won six of their last seven games and appear to be peaking at the right time as we head into the final two games of the season with NFC South rival the Tampa Bay Buccaneers coming to town; though their season is effectively over, Jameis Winston and crew would love nothing more than to put a damper on the Panthers’ playoff hopes. With the 4-10 Bucs sandwiched between Aaron Rodgers and a New Years’ Eve date with the Atlanta Falcons combined with the healthy scent of distraction wafting through Bank of America Stadium, the time is ripe for a trap game. The Panthers must be careful not to beat themselves; avoiding mistakes against an injury-laden and less-talented team can lead them to victory, but mental errors and turnovers can gift any team a victory on Sunday. That’s why they play the games.

Let’s take a look at how the teams shape up, numbers-wise:

And the side of the ball where the Panthers have the advantage; the defense:

Some Fun Facts….

• Julius Peppers has 18.5 sacks in 18 career games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
• The 10-4 Panthers can secure a playoff spot with a win this week; they’d also clinch a spot with a Seahawks-Cowboys tie.
• The Panthers are currently fifth in net yards allowed, they haven’t been lower than six in any game this weekend.
• Heading into the Week 10 Monday Night Football game against the Dolphins, the Panthers were allowing 274.1 yards and 17.7 points per game. Those numbers are currently 307.9 yards and 20.4 points per game.
• Cam Newton needs only 31 yards to pass Steve Young and move into third place in the all-time rushing yards by a quarterback rankings.
• Christian McCaffrey needs one reception to break the single-season franchise record for receptions by a rookie; he needs 16 to pass Reggie Bush for the NFL single-season record for receptions by a rookie running back.
• Carolina’s two interceptions over the last seven games are the fewest in the NFL. Cam Newton threw 10 interceptions in the first seven games, tied for 30th in the NFL during that stretch.

• With his four touchdown performance last week against the Packers, Cam Newton became the first player since at least 1950 with at least two games of four passing touchdowns and 50+ rushing yards in the same season.
• Carolina has forced seven takeaways in the past two games; they intercepted Aaron Rodgers three times last week, his first time being picked off three times since 2009.
• Devin Funchess’ four touchdowns in the past five weeks is tied for third in the NFL during that stretch.
• No NFL team currently has three players with over 400 yards rushing; Jonathan Stewart (661), Cam Newton (643) and Christian McCaffrey (382) lead the Panthers in rushing.
• Panthers are second in the league in time of possession (32:54) and lead the league in drives of more than six minutes.
• Carolina is 12-2 in December at home during Ron Rivera’s tenure as head coach.

Josh Klein

Editor-In-Chief at The Riot Report

Josh Klein is Editor-In-Chief of The Riot Report. His favorite Panther of all time is Chad Cota and he once AIM chatted with Kevin Greene. Follow Josh on Twitter @joshkleinrules.