Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers, 8:30p.m. EST

Dec 6, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) runs out of the pocket against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay defeated Atlanta 23-19. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

A good ol’ NFC South matchup. A year ago, this would have been one of the Monday Night games you skipped, but 2016 holds a different story. The Panthers are trying to get back to the Super Bowl as you know, but the Buccaneers are going to make their case for a playoff appearance. This matchup will tell us just how close or how far away they are from returning to the postseason.

Keys to the Game

Tampa Bay.

Keep Jameis Winston alive. The second-year gunslinger is their key to success as he continues to improve. If the Bucs are unable to protect him, Carolina will be able to stack the box and stuff Doug Martin and this game might be over before halftime. Winston to Evans and Jackson will be crucial.

Carolina

Pressure, pressure, pressure. The Bucs are not an offensive juggernaut, but they have the tools to make big plays. Winston is capable enough to get the ball to his towering targets on the outside and Carolina no longer employs the best corner in the NFL. Keeping Winston under fire is going to make this matchup much easier for them to survive.