Panthers preview: Nov. 15 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Game: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3) at Carolina Panthers (3-6), 1 p.m.

TV: FOX (Kevin Burkhardt play-by-play, Daryl Johnston color analyst, Pam Oliver sideline reporter)

RADIO: WBT-AM 1110/WBT-FM 99.3 in Charlotte is flagship station (Mick Mixon play-by-play, Kurt Coleman and Jim Szoke color analysts, Kristen Balboni sideline reporter)

THE SERIES: Carolina leads series 24-16 but Tampa Bay won 31-17 in their first meeting of this season on Sept. 20. Tampa Bay seeks its fifth seasonal sweep of the Panthers; The Buccaneers previously swept Carolina in 2002, 2010, 2012 and 2016.

RANKINGS AMONG NFL (Through week 9): Carolina offense – 15th overall, 15th rushing, 11th passing. Carolina defense – 17th overall, 23rd rushing, 20th passing. Tampa Bay offense – 22nd overall, 24th rushing, 18th passing. Tampa Bay defense – 4th overall, 1st rushing, 14th passing.

BY THE NUMBERS: 4-3 – Including Tampa Bay’s 31-17 win over Carolina earlier this season, it’s Tom Brady’s quarterback record against the Panthers. It includes the 2004 New England Patriots’ Super Bowl win over Carolina.

NOTABLE: Panthers Running back Christian McCaffrey returned to action last week in the 33-31 loss at Kansas City after missing six games with an ankle sprain. But McCaffrey injured his right shoulder late in the game and is considered doubtful for Sunday’s game….
Despite missing six games, McCaffrey’s 151 yards from scrimmage against Kansas City gives him 2,766 yards from scrimmage since the start of the 2019 season, which ranks him first in the NFL. Minnesota’s Dalvin Cook is second in the NFL with 2,685 yards….
Panthers wide receiver Curtis Samuel had career-highs in receptions (nine) and receiving yards (105) in last week’s loss at Kansas City….
Carolina’s 15-play, 75-yard drive that lasted 8:53 to open last week’s game in Kansas City was the Panthers’ longest opening drive it took 9:15 off the clock in its opening possession at Cincinnati on Oct. 12, 2014….
The Panthers’ duo of Robby Anderson and D.J. Moore have combined for 1,391 receiving yards so far this season, which ranks them as third-highest duo in the league; Kansas City’s Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill are first with 1,419 yards and Seattle’s D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are second with 1,401 yards….
Six Buccaneers have Carolinas connections – Inside linebackers coach Mike Caldwell played for the Panthers in 2013, cornerback Ross Cockrell played at Charlotte Latin, at Duke and for the Panthers in 2018 and 2019, punter Bradley Pinion played at Northwest Cabarrus High School and Clemson, cornerback Ryan Smith played at North Carolina Central, kicker Ryan Succop played a Hickory High School and South Carolina and wide receiver Jaydon Mickens played for the Panthers in 2019.