The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will host a division foe on Sunday in Week 17. The Bucs will take on the Panthers at 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS at Raymond James Stadium. Both the Bucs and Falcons sit at an 8-7 record, but Atlanta holds the head-to-head tiebreaker after a 2024 sweep. In order to clinch the division crown, the Bucs have to win one more game than the Falcons. In a playoff-implicating matchup on Sunday, Tampa Bay will vie to build momentum in the final stretch of the 2024 slate. The Bucs beat the Panthers in a 26-23 decision in overtime a month ago and while the 4-11 Panthers have been eliminated from playoff contention, this will mark the first time former Bucs' Offensive Coordinator Dave Canales visits Raymond James Stadium as Carolina's head coach. Following kickoff, here are five Bucs to monitor:

Bucky Irving

The Panthers have the NFL's worst-ranked rush defense and the last time the two teams met, rookie Bucky Irving amassed 185 yards from scrimmage, including 152 yards on the ground and a rushing touchdown. Irving currently ranks second in the NFL in forced missed tackle percentage (36.9%) and he posted a season-high six missed tackles forced in the first half against Dallas in Week 16. The Bucs rank second in the NFL in yards per rush and Sunday could provide opportunities for Irving. He has thrived in the team's gap-heavy scheme with pullers out in front and is a challenge to bring down with elusive maneuvers. With outstanding contact balance, twitchy feet, leg drive, vision and lethal lateral cuts, Irving sets the tone for Tampa Bay. The Bucs got a steal in the fourth round selecting the Oregon product and he will strive to hit the 1,000-yard rushing marker on Sunday.

Lavonte David

Against the Cardinals in Week 16, Panthers' Chuba Hubbard totaled 152 yards on the ground and two touchdowns for an average of 6.1 yards per tote. He has been one of the best performing backs in the NFL in 2024 and has generated 282 rushing yards over expected this season per Next Gen Stats, third in the league behind Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry. Hubbard thrives on outside zone runs with the ability to quickly get north after bouncing and he runs with superb tempo. He is instinctive at navigating through congestion and on Sunday, Hubbard will face Lavonte David. At 34 years old, David is playing at peak form. He leads the Bucs with 112 tackles and is known for being a technician with an understanding of leverage/angles. David also has 5.5 sacks this season after taking more of a blitzing role with the injury to Antoine Winfield Jr. and offseason departure of Devin White. If Hubbard is in pass protection, he could meet David in a one-on-one. David has outstanding range and the ability to flatten guards. A couple weeks ago, David split a double team for a sack, and he will look to wreak havoc on Sunday in the high-stakes clash.

Mike Evans

In 2024, Jaycee Horn has forced a tight window throw at the third-highest rate and has allowed the fewest yards per target (2.3) when playing man coverage among cornerbacks with at least 20 such targets in 2024. Horn is great at disrupting releases from press and crowds the catch window with long limbs and is physical in man. He runs the route like a receiver and is smooth in and out of breaks. He will face Bucs' star wideout and future Hall of Famer Mike Evans on Sunday. Evans has traditionally shown up big versus the Panthers with 78 receiving first downs, 79.9 receiving yards per game, 1,598 receiving yards and a 14.5 average yards per reception in 20 career games against Carolina. He climbs the ladder with ease and is adept at creating separation with subtle moves. Evans powers through jams and attacks the throw with reliable hands.

Ben Bredeson

A'Shawn Robinson leads the Panthers in sacks with 5.5, including one against the Cardinals in Week 16. With power, Robinson is tough to move off his spot. He generates push in the pocket and is a solid interior force for the Panthers' 3-4. On Sunday, Robinson will see a heavy dose of Ben Bredeson. On 993 offensive snaps played in 2024, Bredeson has allowed two sacks and possesses a solid punch. Bredeson is adept at reacting to twists/stunts and possesses the fiery disposition in the trenches that the Bucs' brass covets. He helps create leverage in the run game and is an effective drive blocker.

Tykee Smith

The Buccaneers have dealt with a plethora of injuries in the secondary this season and another was added to the laundry in Week 16. Defensive back Christian Izien was placed on injured reserve with a pectoral injury, and he will miss significant time. Tampa Bay activated Jordan Whitehead's 21-day practice window and he returned to practice this week. Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. is still nursing a knee injury and did not participate in the walk-through on Tuesday. Smith, a versatile defender, will have a large role against the Panthers. He is one of four players in the NFL in 2024 with three-plus forced fumbles, five passes defensed and two-plus interceptions. Smith has a high football IQ, is sticky in coverage in the intermediate area of the field, has outstanding range and technique as a tackler. He has a knack for making plays on the ball and he will play a crucial role in the Bucs' last line of defense against Carolina whether jumping a route, playing the run in the box or firing downhill.