The Carolina Panthers are at a crisis of identity. It might be a difficult time to focus on beating an NFC South foe — and a former Panthers quarterback.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield came out swinging on Tampa Bay's first series Sunday. A right ankle injury changed everything. After seeing the Buccaneers squander a rare chance for an opening possession touchdown, Mayfield valiantly returned.
The struggling Tampa Bay Buccaneers keep wasting opportunities to take control of the woeful NFC South. “It feels like we’re 10 games out, and we’re one game out,” Bowles added. It’s the second week in a row the Bucs have been unable to pick up ground in a race Tampa Bay is trying to win for the third straight season.
The Indianapolis Colts got back into the playoff mix with wins at Carolina and against the New England Patriots in Germany. To stay there, they'll need to find a way to play like the home team when they're in Indy. The Colts' strange season includes a 1-4 mark at Lucas Oil Stadium.