Just like last year, the Bucs have started the season 0-1 with a big matchup against the division rival Carolina Panthers.
This Panther team is different from last year’s squad, however. Carolina fired Ron Rivera and released Cam Newton in order to make way for Matt Rhule and Teddy Bridgewater in the offseason. The defense is completely re-tooled after the team spent all seven of its draft picks on defense in the 2020 NFL Draft.
The end result in Week 1 was a loss for the Panthers, but they showed plenty of promise and things to build upon.