Panthers at Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter Week 17 with rail-slim chances of earning a playoff berth and without their top running back. Doug Martin will miss Sunday's home game against the Carolina Panthers to serve the first of his four-game suspension for a violation of the league's performance-enhancing drug policy.
The Bucs not only need to beat the Panthers to gain their first playoff berth since 2007, but also need wins by the Lions, Titans, Colts, Eagles and 49ers and Washington's second tie of the season. They have no one to blame but themselves for their dire situation after dropping back-to-back games, including a crushing setback at New Orleans last week when Jameis Winston threw two costly interceptions leading to Saints points in the 31-24 setback. Earlier in the season, Tampa Bay snapped a six-game losing streak in the series when Roberto Aguayo kicked a 38-yard field goal as time expired in the 17-14 victory. The Panthers, who reached the Super Bowl last season, have long since been eliminated from playoff consideration.
TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Buccaneers -4.5. O/U: 46.5.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (6-9): Cam Newton missed the team's first matchup of the season with a concussion, leaving Derek Anderson under center. Newton is once again on the injury report with a shoulder issue but is expected to play, as is tight end Greg Olsen (elbow), who also missed practice time during the week. The Panthers, however, won't have All-Pro linebacker Luke Kuechly, who will sit out his sixth straight game after suffering a concussion on Nov. 17, and wide receiver Devin Funchess, who was placed on injured reserve.
ABOUT THE BUCS (8-7): Martin, who was a Pro Bowl selection last season, left the team to enter a drug treatment program and is not the only back who will miss Sunday's game. Charles Sims was placed on the injured reserve with a pectoral injury, leaving Jacquizz Rodgers, who leads the team with 485 yards on 112 carries with two touchdowns, as the lead back. Tight end Cameron Brate (57 receptions, 661 yards, 8 touchdowns), in the midst of a breakout season, also is out with a back injury.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Bucs WR Mike Evans needs nine catches to reach 100 for the season and ranks fifth in the NFL in both receptions and receiving yards (1,256).
2. The Panthers are 2-5 on the road this season after going 7-1 away from home in 2015.
3. Winston needs 112 yards to go over 4,000 for the season and 267 yards passing to snap Andrew Luck's mark for the most by a quarterback in his first two seasons.