First place in the NFC South is up for grabs in Week 16 as the 7-7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the 7-7 Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. The Bucs will look to win their fifth-straight division crown, while the Panthers will vie for their first since 2015. Tampa Bay surrendered a season-high 476 yards to the Falcons and Kirk Cousins in Week 15 in a 29-28 fallout, and the club will strive for redemption on Sunday. Following kickoff, here are five Bucs to keep an eye on:

Jamel Dean

Cornerback Jamel Dean has allowed the lowest passer rating when targeted in 2025 (32.0) with a minimum of 30 defensive targets according to NextGen Stats. Additionally, he has allowed the lowest completion percentage (43.5%) when targeted in 2025 with a minimum of 30 defensive targets, setting the tone on the back end for Tampa Bay. Dean has an elite size/speed profile with lateral quickness and physicality along the boundary to disrupt receivers. He quickly stutters his feet for effective change-of-direction and will face the Panthers' Tetairoa McMillan on Sunday. McMillan ranks second to Emeka Egbuka in catches and yards among rookies and has nabbed six touchdowns. During the pre-draft process, McMillan was stylistically compared to the Bucs' Mike Evans, with more yards-after-catch. He thrives when he can stretch out his stride on slants and go routes – similar to Evans – and he can win in jump-ball situations with exceptional ball skills/concentration at the catch point. McMillan has an outstanding feel for coverage and possesses solid footwork along the boundary.

Dan Feeney

Panthers' stalwart Derrick Brown suffered a season-ending injury in Week One during the 2024 season but is back to peak form. He has started every game in 2025 and has accumulated 49 tackles, a team-high 4.0 sacks, nine quarterback hits and a forced fumble. His quickness off the snap allows Brown to clog run lanes and has an effective anchor against double teams. Brown can move up and down the line of scrimmage and has a powerful punch. A slew of injuries along the Bucs' offensive line, including those that landed guards Cody Mauch and Ben Bredeson on injured reserve, thrust Dan Feeney in at right guard. He has started the last seven games for Tampa Bay and has been flagged just once this season. Feeney has been credited with allowing three sacks and has helped spur runs at the second level. Feeney plays with good awareness against twists and stunts and plays light on his feet.

Mike Evans

In his first game back from injury in Week 15 against the Falcons, Mike Evans put on a show with six receptions for 132 yards. He showcased his high-point capability and route-running prowess, baiting defensive backs into submission with subtle fakes. Evans, a future Hall of Famer and the Bucs' prized offensive possession, changes the way defenses play the Bucs and the unstoppable back-shoulder-catch aficionado will go up against Jaycee Horn on Sunday. The Panthers like to move Horn around the field to maximize his ability so the pair are likely to go head-to-head. Horn ranks second in the NFL with five interceptions and is physical in man coverage. He is technically sound in squaring releases and can mirror proficiently. Horn attacks the catch point and this WR-CB duo will create an intriguing matchup at Bank of America Stadium.

Lavonte David

The Bucs' Lavonte David appeared on the injury report with a knee injury and if the veteran continues to ramp-up in practice and suits up against the Panthers, he will play a critical role in limiting Rico Dowdle. Tampa Bay has the 10th-best rush defense in the NFL and David leads the Bucs in tackles with 95. Instincts are the key for David and he will play a pivotal role in fitting up Dowdle in the hole and pursuit to the edge if he bounces outside. Dowdle leads the Panthers in rushing yards (978) – ninth in the NFL – and in rushing touchdowns with six. He is effective at locating linebackers to dictate cutback lanes and smoothly transitions from eluding defenders to finishing, falling forward for additional yardage. He successfully utilizes vision to designate when to turn upfield and forcing the Panthers' to become one-dimensional on Sunday will be a focus for Tampa Bay.

Yaya Diaby

Yaya Diaby leads the Buccaneers with six sacks and is one of seven players with 15-plus sacks, 30-plus tackles for loss and three-plus fumble recoveries since 2023. He ranks ninth in highest pressure rate (16.0%) in 2025 with a minimum of 300 pass rush snaps according to NextGen Stats and he will be tasked with generating pressure on Bryce Young in Week 16. The Bucs were unable to speed up Kirk Cousins' process in the pocket via Thursday Night Football and the unit will strive for redemption this week with the division on the line. Diaby combines immense power with lateral burst. He has short-area acceleration with a lethal punch at the point of attack and will aim to disrupt in the trenches on Sunday.