ESPN says we have an 80 percent chance of winning vs Tampa. Anyone else worried about the possibility of a trap game?

[L-TownCat]

It’s the safest pick so no I’m not worried that they’ll be wrong.

I am worried that we don’t know what opponent we’re getting?  JW and his mediocre ways or Schitz-Tragic?

This is a weird one, still picking us but much like before every game I’m skeptical.

[Jangler]

11 hours ago, PandaMan said:

Nah, the Eagles comeback gave this team the swagger it needed.  I expect some deep bombs from Fitzpatrick but I think we'll be able to make him pay for it 

Plus. Fitz has to get ready for Christmas.

[ForJimmy]

Tampa has the talent to beat any team. I believe they beat the Saints in New Orleans (granted it was week 1). Definitely not an easy win and hopefully we prepare accordingly...

[Matthias]

How can any game be a trap game when we aren't leading our division?  Last time I checked, we are in second place.  I could see if we were the Rams, leading their division by at least 4 games.

[X-Clown]

14 hours ago, t96 said:

Only game Cam has lost to the Bucs at home I believe was week 17 in 2016 when he was playing with a bum shoulder and we were clearly tanking at that point and only wound up losing because Greg dropped an easy game winning 2 point conversion... Not at all concerned about this being a trap game.

The Week 17 game in 2016 was in Tampa. We did lose to Tampa at home in 2016, but it was on MNF when DA started and had 3-4 turnovers.

[pantherclaw]

It's a division game. 

By that very definition, it can't be a trap game. 

Still expect it to be a hard fought game though.

[archer4364]

We're at home so I'm not tooooo worried but I'm still a little bit scared. Last game against Tampa wasn't a fun one. Evans will kill Bradberry and I'm sure Jackson will get past Reid/Adams at least a few times. Just gotta hope Fitz doesn't land another huge TD pass like he has been doing. Donte Jackson is young but he's got the speed, maybe he can make some big plays for us. If we're making the playoffs this is a must win.

[CPcavedweller]

18 hours ago, Hoenheim said:

I'm sure the media pundits are going to overwhelming select us to win. We're on a long home winning streak, nobody believes in Tampa. Panther players are probably high on themselves after pulling out crucial games vs Eagles and Ravens.

Almost every single damn time I think a game is going to be a trap game it is (Bears last season, Washington this season, also Tampa last season). Add in the fact that we're facing a division rival who can throw deep and explode on offense at any given time, I don't think this is going to be the cakewalk that most people believe. 

I'm actually really curious to see how our defense does against Tampas passing offense. Is Donte Jackson going to stay on Desean Jackson the whole game? Is Bradberry going to get rosted by Mike Evans again? Will we put any pressure on Fitzpartrick early? 

I'm thinking the team might also be looking over their shoulder at this huge Steelers game on Thursday.  I smell a trap and I hope the team takes Tampa seriously and plays hard and motivated as they did in the 4th vs the Eagles and against the Ravens last weekend. 

 

There is no such thing as a trap game for a team like the Panthers. The team is still fighting tooth and nail for respect and they've got guys who have been in the league long enough to know that you can't have an off week due to lack of preparation or taking your opponent seriously. 

[Tepper's Chest Hair]

It should be noted, that while the Bucs are 1-4 in their last 5 games, 2 of those losses were by 3 points, one by 5. So while, yes.  They are on a rough streak.  They only got blown out by the Bears.

[hepcat]

Tampa came damn close to beating the Panthers in Charlotte last season. Any division game is a toss up.

[RumHam]

These percentages are poo. oH wE HaD a OnE pErCeNt ChAnCe Of BeAtInG tHe EaGlEs. Most pointless stat besides PFF's scores and miles per hour.

[Sam Mills Fan]

Fact: every season with Rivera that we've won the division or finished with a winning record, we've swept the Bucs in the regular season that year. So no, I don't think this will be a trap game. We already won our trap game when Gano beat the Giants.

[Sam Mills Fan]

33 minutes ago, hepcat said:

Tampa came damn close to beating the Panthers in Charlotte last season. Any division game is a toss up.

Rivera has made the playoffs 4 times: 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2017. Our record against the Bucs in those games? 8-0

[Matthias]

If it were Winston at QB, you could slightly be in a better position to make the argument of it being a trap game.  Yet we saw what Fitzmagic can do when he's rolling.  He's not a great QB by any means, but he has GREAT weapons.  I'm not sleeping on the Bucs one bit!