Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 3rd @ 4:05 PM ET
Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
Betting Odds: TB -5.5, 37 total via PFF.com
Network: CBS
Writer: Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ on Twitter/X)
Carolina Panthers
Quarterback
Bryce Young (Sit)
Simply put, poor Bryce Young. It’s been a nightmarish rookie season for Young, so much so that both his HC (Reich) & QB (McCown) coaches were fired on Monday. The Panthers are 1-10, and Young owns a 9:8 passing touchdown to interception ratio with just 1877 passing yards. One would believe better days are ahead for the struggling quarterback, but that may not come until next season.
Running Backs
Chuba Hubbard (Start, RB2), Miles Sanders (Sit)
Chuba Hubbard was the only Panther to find the end zone in the loss to the Titans last week, turning 14 carries into 45 yards on the ground, as well as catching all five of his targets for 47 yards. He had one less carry than Miles Sanders, who had 28 yards on his 15 touches as he is being brought back into the mix. However, Hubbard had a 65% to 36.5% snap advantage last week as per FantasyData.
The Tampa Bay defense has given up the 25th-most fantasy points to opposing running backs, but Hubbard can remain on the RB2 radar for volume only.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Adam Thielen (Start, WR3), Jonathan Mingo (Sit), Ian Thomas (Sit)
Will the presence of an interim head coach (Chris Tabor) spark the Panthers’ offense at all? I doubt it, but one would hope Adam Thielen can get back to his target-hog ways. His Week 12 performance was utterly disappointing, having caught one of just three targets for 2 yards; his worst game of the season by far. The Buccs defense is a great get-right spot for the veteran, as they are allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to WRs on the year.
Jonathan Mingo was the best Panther WR on the field against Tennessee last week, catching four of six targets for 60 yards, but the rookie won’t be a viable option for your lineup.
Hayden Hurst was out again last week with a concussion, and Tommy Tremble exited the game with a core injury. If Ian Thomas somehow ended up being the only healthy tight end to suit up, he still wouldn’t be a recommended streaming option.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterbacks
Baker Mayfield (Sit)
Baker Mayfield exited the game in the 1st quarter last week against the Colts, but later returned to finish what would be a second-straight loss for Tampa. He underwent an MRI, and the results came back negative. One would assume he is set to face the Panthers this week, but even with the likes of Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen on BYE, Mayfield isn’t worth a stream.
Running Back
Rachaad White (Start, RB1)
Rachaad White popped up on the injury report of nowhere on Saturday with a knee injury, but he was a go come gameday, and didn’t disappoint. He had just 15 carries, but turned them into 100 yards. He also caught both of his targets for 10 yards. White has been as consistent as they come this season, and he enters a Week 13 matchup projected to finish as the RB7 in full-PPR formats per FantasyData. That projection could even rise when you realize the Panthers are allowing the third-most fantasy points to opposing ‘backs on the year.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Mike Evans (Start, WR2), Chris Godwin (Sit), Cade Otton (Sit)
Mike Evans has now scored in three straight games, and enters Week 13 coming off a game in which he scored twice, totaling 70 yards on six receptions/nine targets. The Panthers are stingy against wide receivers this season, but Evans is on a mission to eclipse the 1000 receiving yard mark for the 10th straight year; he currently sits at 850 yards.
It’s been quite a disappointing year for Chris Godwin to say the least. He has one touchdown, with 53 receptions for 606 yards. Since Week 10, he’s averaging just 8.9 points in full-PPR leagues. If you can get by without having him in your lineup, it’s probably for the best right now.
Tight end Cade Otton has at least four catches and 45 yards in back-to-back games, and could be a viable streaming option if you are in a bind with the likes of Cole Kmet, T.J. Hockenson, and Dalton Kincaid all on BYE this week. Do keep in mind though – the Panthers are strong against tight ends, allowing the fifth-least amount of fantasy points this season.