Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 1st, 2024, 4:05PM ET
Location: Bank of Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Network: FOX
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterback
Baker Mayfield: Start, QB1
The rout was on at MetLife Stadium against the Giants, as Baker Mayfield led the Bucs to a 30-7 win, without having to do all that much through the air. He completed 24 of 30 attempts for 294 yards but did find the end zone once with his legs, rushing the ball four times for 29 yards. Have no fear though, Mayfield should continue to build on his stellar season with a date in Carolina against the Panthers, a defense that is allowing the sixth most fantasy points to opposing QBs on the year.
Running Back
Rachaad White: Start, RB2
Bucky Irving: Start, RB2
Sean Tucker: Sit
Rachaad White saved his fantasy day against New York with a third-quarter rushing score, which was only his second of the year. Without the score, he turned his 12 carries into just 37 yards, catching his lone target for 10 yards. With two more snaps on the day (34 to 32), Bucky Irving turned his 12 carries into 87 yards and a touchdown, and he caught all six of his targets for 64 yards. What’s clear as the season has moved along, is that Irving is eating into White’s touches, and I foresee that continuing the rest of the way. Even so, both ‘backs are on the RB2 radar against a Carolina defense allowing the most fantasy points to opposing RBs on the year; an average of 31.5 PPR points per game per FantasyData.
Despite his score against the Giants, Sean Tucker only had four rushes for three yards and isn’t fantasy-relevant on a weekly basis.
Wide Receiver
Mike Evans: Start, WR2 with WR1 upside
Sterling Shepard: Sit
Jalen McMillan: Sit
Mike Evans returned to action last week having missed three games with a hamstring injury, and he caught five of six targets for 68 yards. Yes, the Bucs running backs lead the charge against the Giants, but in reality Evans is the only reliable Tampa Bay pass catcher worth starting, as Sterling Shepard and rookie Jalen McMillan aren’t consistent threats when targeted.
Tight End
Cade Otton: Start, TE1
Week 12 was quiet for Cade Otton, as he caught one of three targets for 30 yards. Look for him to get right against a Panthers defense allowing the most fantasy points to TE’s on the year. Just last week, Noah Gray caught all four of his targets for 66 yards and two touchdowns, and Travis Kelce caught six of eight targets for 62 yards.
Carolina Panthers
Quarterback
Bryce Young: Sit
Bryce Young looked competent against the Chiefs, completing 21 of 35 attempts for 263 yards and a touchdown, adding 20 yards on three carries. One could think Young is playing for his starting job in 2025, and he’ll have a plus-matchup this week to build on a strong Week 12 showing. Tampa Bay is allowing the second most fantasy points to opposing QBs on the season, but it doesn’t mean you would stream Young in a single-QB league.
Running Back
Chuba Hubbard: Start, RB1
Jonathon Brooks: Sit
Chuba Hubbard found the end zone against the Chiefs, and it ultimately saved his fantasy day, as he otherwise rushed for 58 yards on 16 carries, catching one of five targets for 2 yards and a 2-PT conversion. Hubbard has been as steady as they come this season and should go back to his normal volume against a Tampa defense allowing the six most fantasy points to RBs on the year.
Rookie Jonathon Brooks made his long-awaited NFL debut last week, but had just two carries for seven yards. At this stage, he’s nothing more than a wait-and-see option the rest of the way.
Wide Receiver
Adam Thielen: Sit
Xavier Legette: Sit
David Moore: Sit
Yes, David Moore was targeted 10 times against the Chiefs, catching six of those looks for 81 yards and a touchdown. It was his best game of the season, but I’ll chalk it up to being an outlier of a day, and can’t back actually starting him by any means.
Adam Thielen is back, and while both he and Xavier Legette may have FLEX appeal if you were in a bind, you can do better than these two options when no teams are on BYE this week; if I had to choose one, it would be Thielen.
Tight End
Tommy Tremble: Sit
Rookie TE Ja’Tavion Sanders avoided a serious injury against the Chiefs, but even if he were to play this week — it’s likely he doesn’t — he wouldn’t be on the streaming radar. The same can be said for Tommy Tremble, who was only targeted twice in the loss to Kansas City.
-Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Twitter & Reddit)