The Panthers have turned Bank of America Stadium into the next big stop on their climb. Carolina enters Sunday at 3-2 after beating Philadelphia 25-14, while Tampa Bay arrives at 1-5 looking to turn a rough opening into a new chapter. The Buccaneers showed their fight with a win over Dallas in Week 5, but their 19-26 loss to Pittsburgh last week left them needing answers fast.

This NFC South matchup begins at 1:00 p.m. EDT, and it puts Carolina quarterback Bryce Young at the center of the story. Young has thrown 11 touchdown passes in five games, helping the Panthers score more than 29 points per game. That is a huge step for a team that struggled to score last season. Young has been sharp finding open targets, and his connection with Tetairoa McMillan gives Carolina a fast way to change a drive.

McMillan has caught 32 passes for 471 yards, showing he is more than a deep-ball target. The second-year receiver uses his size for hard catches, then can burst into open space. Tampa Bay must keep him from turning short throws into long gains. The Buccaneers have allowed 23 points per game, so their defenders have often kept games close. Yet they need more stops at the key moments to slow Carolina’s balanced attack.

That balance starts with Chuba Hubbard. Hubbard has rushed for 426 yards and four touchdowns, and he also has two receiving scores. He runs with purpose between defenders, which can force a defense to crowd the line. When that happens, Young may find room to throw toward McMillan. Carolina gains more than 400 yards per game, meaning opponents must handle both parts of this attack.

Tampa Bay’s best answer could be Bucky Irving, if he is able to play after missing Wednesday’s practice with an illness. Irving has 452 rushing yards and brings quick cuts that can shake loose from the first tackler. The Buccaneers run for nearly 128 yards per game, far more than they throw for, so Irving is their engine. Baker Mayfield, listed as questionable with a right-thumb injury, practiced fully Wednesday. His ability to play could shape everything. He needs to protect the ball and give Emeka Egbuka chances to make catches after the grab.

Egbuka is also questionable with concussion and foot concerns, while safety Antoine Winfield Jr. is doubtful. Those absences would make a hard task tougher. Carolina is missing cornerback Jaycee Horn and several other defenders, but the Panthers still have forced more takeaways than they have given away. Creating extra possessions has helped their young offense keep rolling.

The Buccaneers have the running game to make this competitive, especially if Mayfield, Irving, and Egbuka are ready. Still, Carolina has been stronger on both sides of the ball, has momentum from two straight wins, and gets this game at home. Prediction: The Panthers will win, with Young, Hubbard, and McMillan pushing their playoff chase forward.

Bryce Young and the Panthers Guard Their Home Field Against Tampa Bay