The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 16 matchup against the Carolina Panthers screams “get right” game for the Bucs. That type of game is exactly what they need after being shut out at home vs the New Orleans Saints last week. Not only did the Buccaneers lose badly to the Saints, they lost a lot of key players to injury as well. In this post, though, we're making our Buccaneers Week 16 predictions.

Pro Bowl wide receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans both left in the first half. It was announced earlier in the week that Chris Godwin suffered a torn ACL and will miss the remainder of the season. Mike Evans is dealing with a hamstring injury and is considered week-to-week.

For more insight on the Buccaneers' Week 16 matchup against the Panthers, listen below:

Wide receiver was not the only position hurt in the loss. The Buccaneers also lost Leonard Fournette to a hamstring injury as well. He needed crutches after the game and is reportedly headed for injured reserve. That prompted the team to sign Le'Veon Bell on Wednesday.

Even the defense got hit. Pro Bowl linebacker Lavonte David is dealing with a foot sprain he sustained in the 4th quarter.

Despite the tough loss and loss of players, the Buccaneers still lead the division and have an outside shot at the overall #1 seed in the NFC. Let's take a look at the Buccaneers Week 16 predictions.

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Buccaneers Week 16 Predictions vs Carolina Panthers

4. The Buccaneers will sack both Cam Newton and Sam Darnold 

Earlier this week, Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule announced that he was starting Cam Newton once again at quarterback. But he also said he wanted to get quarterback Sam Darnold some playing time. Darnold is the only Panthers quarterback under contract next season, so it makes sense to see him again before the season ends.

Newton has struggled mightily since joining the team. He has already been benched on two different occasions. Maybe Matt Rhule is just building in the talk of Darnold to play knowing he will probably want to bench Newton again. But this might be Newton's final game ever played at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Newton is a free agent after this season.

Carolina's offense is built off the ability to run the ball. That's really all they can do. Well, that's the one thing you almost never succeed at versus the Buccaneers defense. They led the league in rush defense each of the last two seasons and are top five again this year. Without the ability to run, Carolina will find itself facing many 3rd and long situations. The Bucs defensive line and linebackers should feast and pick up sacks of both Panthers quarterbacks, Newton and Darnold.

3. Tom Brady will bounce back will a solid outing

Despite missing a ton of key players, I expect Tom Brady and the Buccaneers offense to bounce back. The Panthers defense has played well this season. They surprisingly rank 2nd in overall defense, allowing only 294 yards per game. They are especially tough against the pass, only giving up 179 yards per game through the air.

But in games where their offense has struggled to stay on the field, they tend to wear down like they did last week against the Buffalo Bills. Josh Allen finished with three passing touchdowns despite average peripherals.

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I think you will see more of the same Sunday. The game will be close at halftime. But as the Panthers continue to struggle picking up first downs, Tom Brady and the Buccaneers offense will pick up some steam.

2. Ronald Jones II will remind everyone how good he is

Losing Leonard Fournette for the rest of the regular season is definitely a blow. But a lot of people have forgotten how good Ronald Jones II can be. Last season he had a breakout year, including his 98-yard rushing touchdown against these Carolina Panthers.

Everyone knows the Buccaneers tailback has the size to run you over. But he shows here that he also has the speed to run away from you. Not just anyone can take that to the house.

The Panthers rush defense is middle of the pack. Similar to the sentiment of why Brady will eventually put up some numbers, the Buccaneers rush game will do that same. They should come out with a heavy run-scheme approach. That means a lot of Ronald Jones II.

RoJo was put in head coach Bruce Arians dog house after a fumble and missing a blocking assignment early in the year. While in the dog house, Fournette ran away with the job. But without Fournette, it should be a massive workload for Jones II.

1. Antonio Brown will catch at least 10 passes and a touchdown

One of the biggest developments with the Buccaneers this week was the fact that they decided to bring Antonio Brown back. He was previously suspended three games for submitting a fake vaccination card. It was believed that Arians would cut him once the suspension was done.

However, Arians announced he had a change of heart, citing that history had changed. Really, the roster construction changed with injuries. It forced his hand.

When Brown was healthy early in the season, he was already Tom Brady's favorite target. That was with Chris Godwin and Mike Evans on the field. Without them, he might see 15-20 targets this game and should definitely find the end zone. Tampa Bay needs a win to keep pressure on the Packers for the top seed and Brown will help make sure that happens.