HEAD COACH TODD BOWLES

(On if CB Carlton Davis III is out of the concussion protocol) 

"No, he's not out of the protocol yet."

(On if he still believes Davis III and OLB Shaquil Barrett are trending in the right direction)

"Yeah, I do."

(On if it's reached the point in the season where he tells players that every week is earned) 

"We've been stressing that all year – you've got to earn everything. Like I told them, nobody is going to give you anything. You earn everything you get in this league. Whether you're the best of teams or the worst of teams, you're going to earn everything you get every week."

(On if he's ever been in a 'win-and-you're-in or lose-and-you're-out' game before) 

"Only one, I think. My first year with the Jets, we went 10-6 [and] we lost the last game to Buffalo and we were out. That's the only one I can think of."

(On the team controlling their own destiny in the final week of the season) 

"It's all you can ask for. We're looking forward to it. We understand where we are. We're happy to be in this spot playing positive football in December, trying to get in the playoffs. We control our own narrative – it's up to us to win it."

(On the resilience this team has shown throughout the season) 

"[There are] a lot of fighters on this team. [There are] a lot of vets [and] a lot of young guys that don't know what it's all about, that the vets are teaching and the coaches are teaching. [I am] very proud of the effort – we've just got to play smarter. They understand that. We can't play conservative or safe. We just have to do our job and go out there Sunday and cross our t's and dot our i's."

(On the team's approach this week in preparation for Sunday) 

"Everybody is in a good place. You've got an opportunity to win the division – you've got to be in a good place for that. Everybody is in a good place, everybody is upbeat, and everybody is ready to work."

(On how much he expects QB Baker Mayfield to dig deep and do what he can to play on Sunday) 

"I know he's going to do everything he can to play. I'm not a doctor, I can't feel what Baker is feeling, so I can't tell you how he's going to feel [or] if he's able to play. If he can play, I know he's going to try and play."

(On if it helps that Tampa Bay just played Carolina in Week 13) 

"We don't take anybody lightly. We were underdogs most of the year – we can't afford to. Division games, especially, regardless of who we're playing. It was a tough game that went down to the end the last time we played them – we expect it to be a tough one this time."

(On what makes the Panthers a team that shouldn't be overlooked) 

"They're a lot like us – they're tough. They're tough to play. They're very tough to play. They've got physical guys all the way around the board. We have physical guys all the way around the board. It's who plays the smartest that's going to win the ballgame."

(On if QB Kyle Trask might get more practice reps tomorrow due to QB Baker Mayfield's injury) 

"Yeah, we'll get him some more reps. He's been preparing all year. If Baker is sore tomorrow, Trask will get the reps and we'll kind of go from there."

(On if he expects Mayfield to practice tomorrow) 

"I'll see how he's feeling. I can't answer that."

(On if he would have been a full participant in practice today) 

"He would not have practiced today."

(On there being 11 teams still playing for playoff spots around the league) 

"For me, honestly, I could really care less about the [other] 10 teams. I'm just worried about ours."

(On how concerned he is that QB Baker Mayfield won't play on Sunday) 

"It's always a concern when one of your star players [is] hurt. We'll see how it goes. We have [all the] confidence in [Kyle] Trask if he has to play. Baker is going to try and play – if he's not healthy, he can't play. If he's healthy enough to play, he will."

QUARTERBACK BAKER MAYFIELD

(On how he is feeling)

"Pretty sore, but I'll be good. It's just one of those things – it's tender. I've dealt with rib injuries before, but rest and just [time] as the week goes on helps."

(On how the rib injury affects his ability to function as a quarterback)

"Obviously, I didn't exactly test it out today. Just more mental reps for everybody. I'm just going to see. Like I said, I haven't tested it out, so I've just got to get loose. I'm sure by the time we get closer to gametime, adrenaline will be rolling, especially with where we are sitting at right now, situationally."

(On if he has suffered any setbacks since the game Sunday or if he's just dealing with normal soreness)

"Normal soreness. It just progresses throughout the week and you keep going."

(On if there is any doubt in his mind about playing on Sunday)

"I'll do everything I can to be out there – that's for sure. Division on the line, playoff hopes on the line, going back to Carolina? Yeah, I'll do everything I can."

(On what he can do to maintenance the rib injury)

"It's one of those things [where] you just have to constantly stay warm. You can't let it tighten up. You've just got to continually be loose, whether it's hot packs on the sideline [or] just making sure you get the extra work in – just things like that. Every one of them is different. But yeah, especially for a quarterback having to rotate to throw, you've just got to stay loose."

(On if there are any flak jackets available)

"We will see what we can do… maybe Kevlar? We will see."

(On how much he's been able to move past last week's game mentally)

"I mean, we're moving on to Carolina. We have to. This is for the division. It doesn't change win or loss – it's been the one-game-at-a-time mentality. Like we said after the game, we didn't show up and didn't play our best by any means. We've got to come back with everything on the line. We have one opportunity to do it and that's it."

(On the finality of the NFL season regardless of when it ends and if the team is mindful of that)

"That's something you try and teach the young guys, but until they're in it they don't necessarily understand or really grasp it. And I can say that firsthand from the first time I went to the playoffs. It's strange how it happens. You're playing for your job at that point, for the next week [and] just for another opportunity. It's a special atmosphere that it comes to be all about. You have to appreciate it. You have to understand that, 'Hey, when we get in this huddle it could be our last time together.' We'll see. Just make it happen and make it count."

(On winning must-win games during the stretch of the season to stay in the playoff race and how much that confidence it gives him heading into a must-win Week 18 game)

"We have a ton of confidence in ourselves, and that doesn't change with how we played Sunday. It's just a matter of us doing our job right – keeping the focus extremely small [and] doing the little details right. Just knowing that this is our one opportunity to make the playoffs and let's go do it."

(On if the approach changes leading into must-win games)

"You try to keep it as similar as possible because as soon as you try and do too much, that's when things go wrong. It goes back to the mentality we had – everybody just doing their job. You're one-eleventh when you're on the field. Try to execute the best you can and good things will happen. That needs to be the mentality. Playoff teams, and the great teams, are the ones who don't mess up. That's an extremely high level of focus on your job at hand, even if it's the simplest play that you've done over and over all season. It's the focus and the little details, so you can't change your approach on that."

(On if it surprises him that three teams are still in the mix for a playoff spot in Week 18)

"No, that's kind of how it happens at this point [with] everybody [having] similar records. You just fight to get a chance to get in, so that's where we're at right now – obviously, so are other teams. We've just got to handle our business knowing what's at stake. We control our own destiny."

(On if he had any additional testing done on his ribs and if the testing came back clear)

"We had a couple more, but yeah, no cracks, no fractures, so that's good news. Just general soreness and pain tolerance as the week goes on."

(On if there is a takeaway he has after watching film from the Week 17 game against the Saints)

"[It's] between the little details and the lack of physicality. I had mentioned that after the game. We didn't play how we had been the last few weeks on all [sides] of the ball. We've got to fix that and that's just focusing on the details, doing your job the best you can and [handling] it."

(On the seasons that WR Mike Evans and T Tristan Wirfs have had)

"I mean, Tristan made the transition to left tackle, which obviously, he hadn't played left tackle [before]. For him to do it at the level he's done just speaks to the special talent that he really is. Still a young guy that's going to keep improving. Somebody we're lucky to have blocking our blind side. Then, obviously, Mike leads the NFL in touchdowns at an age where people said he was going to have declining talents. That hasn't shown. We've been lucky to have both of those guys. Obviously, we've got a couple of guys on defense, as well. We've got Antoine [Winfield Jr.] and Lavonte [David]. We have a special group and guys that deserve a lot of recognition. This is the time of year that our guys are going to step up in this playoff push. Hopefully they get the recognition they deserve, but they know inside this building they're appreciated."

(On what the opportunity in Tampa Bay has meant to him this year)

"It's meant the world to me just to be able to be in a stable place, to be the best version of myself [and] to [do] what they've enabled me to do. The organization, the staff, our locker room – it's just a special place so I've truly appreciated it. I hope the guys know that. I try to reflect that with just who I am every day coming to work, bringing energy and passion into it. It's been great for me, but yeah, [we're] not done yet."

(On if he would've been able to have the same level of success without WR Mike Evans on the field)

"No. I mean, we've got a bunch of guys [who] have contributed to my individual success between the line, protection guys – whether it's the tight ends or running backs picking it up – everybody making the plays. That's why it's the greatest team sport ever. Guys get recognized for individual accolades and games, but it's the greatest team sport, so I appreciate all my teammates and everybody that has helped us get this far, but we're not done yet."

(On Evans' performance in Week 13 vs. Carolina and if he just matches up well against the Panthers or if he has the ability to do that against anybody)

"A little bit of both. They do run some different coverages to where he gets one-on-one situations. And he's a guy that, when he's one-on-one, we're going to take advantage of that. We're going to look for those shots to him. He is always ready for those moments, as well, but it doesn't matter what's going on, he is going to be ready for it. We're going to take our opportunities when we can get them."

(On WR Trey Palmer's career-best performance in Week 17 and how Palmer can move forward after his fumble)

"His speed, naturally, is going to be able to make a huge difference in the game. Teams are going to have to respect that. It's an unfortunate play – the ground causing the fumble. It's one of those where you're like, 'Hey, great play on the ball. Next time, maybe roll over.' But it's in the moment – it just kind of summed up how the day went for us overall. Just pat him on the back and move on. We expect him to have those type of games and those type of plays and finish them."

(On if the Saints ability to generate four takeaways in Week 17 was due to New Orleans disrupting the timing of the offense or more a lack of concentration and focus)

"A little bit of both. We've got to do all of the little things right, whether it's looking the ball all the way in through the catch… but the Saints matched up physically and they played physical. They were going to mess up the timing – that was their gameplan. Going into this week, that's pretty much how the Panthers played us at home last time, too. They were physical. Obviously, it was a little bit wet with the rain. Statistically, they're a great defense and they play really well against the rush and pass, so we've got to be ready for a show. We've got to be ready to show up and play our best game."

(On working with QB Kyle Trask)

"It's been great. Like I said, in the offseason I think we both pushed each other to be better. Just to see how locked in he has been… from being in Carolina last year and having to sit in the backup role and then [be] inactive, it's tough to stay locked in when you're not necessarily getting the reps. But he's back there doing everything he needs to do. Just the constant communication in the QB room also helps. He has never wavered on that. He is ready to go whenever he gets his shot."

(On if he has any idea if he will practice tomorrow)

"We will see how it feels tomorrow. Honestly, it's one day at a time right now. A lot of it is going to be mental reps and seeing what I can do, but yeah, we will see how it goes."

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER YAYA DIABY

(On facing the Panthers and QB Bryce Young) 

"Our first game against them, he got out of the pocket a little bit. This game, we're trying to make sure we keep him in the pocket and collapse the middle and just get after him."

(On having the opportunity to clinch a playoff berth) 

"It means a lot, man. For me, I just want to give to this team because they blessed me with the opportunity to take that starting role. For us to clinch our division and go to the playoffs, it would be a first for me. I just want to do what I do and come to work and get after it."

(On how much of an emphasis turnovers will be against Carolina) 

"Yeah, this is definitely a game where we have to get a lot of turnovers to be able to help our offense out and help bounce back with each other – where the offense is clicking and we're clicking. When we're doing that, we're a good team – a really good team."

(On how quickly the team moved on from the loss to New Orleans) 

"After the game. For me, I was upset with the game, but after looking at all the film, I feel like we've still got some work to do and we can just keep building."

(On what he's seen on film that the team needs to do on Sunday against Carolina) 

"The pressure. For us as a front line, if we get a couple pressures and make [Bryce Young] uncomfortable, that would help us a lot in the back end. Then, the back end could eat and we could eat, as well."

(On what it means to be in the conversation for Defensive Rookie of the Year) 

"It feels good, man. But, like I said, I'm worried about clinching the division first. I put my own stats to the side. I want to be able to help the team out the best way I can."

(On facing a Panthers team that has already been eliminated) 

"I feel like, with the Panthers, their record really [doesn't] matter. They're a really good team, [there have] just been certain times where they just [couldn't] finish. I feel like with the Panthers, they're a really good team and we can't go into the game with the mindset of, 'Oh, they're a 2-14 team.' We've got to go in there with a mindset of, 'We're going to get into this game, we're going to start fast, do what we need to do, get our win and go home.'"

SAFETY ANTOINE WINFIELD JR.

(On if he enjoys playing in high-leverage games like this weekend's against Carolina) 

"Yeah. Obviously, we would have liked it if we would have won Sunday, but it's a win-and-we're-in situation and we've just got to play our best ball on Sunday."

(On if the fight that the team has showed over the last five weeks is motivating) 

"Yeah, because we've had our backs against the wall before the season. This won't be the first time and probably won't be the last. Like I said, our goal is to go out here, execute, and win this game."

(On potentially being named to the Pro Bowl)

"It's awesome. I put a lot of work in for it. I don't really tally up the accolades until after. I feel like I won't fully enjoy them until I'm done playing and I can look back and be like, 'Oh, I did this, this and that.' I'm still focused on the moment and staying in the moment and being present. I'm not really looking at it like that if you get what I mean."

(On not overlooking the Carolina Panthers) 

"One hundred percent. They're a team that [has] nothing to lose. It's going to be one of those games. I know they're coming in and they're going to have a lot of energy because they have an opportunity to knock us out of the playoffs. I feel like, being on the opposite side of it, I'd be like, 'Oh yeah, we've got to get these guys out of the playoffs.' So, I feel like they're coming with that energy – we have to make sure that we match it."

(On containing Panthers QB Bryce Young) 

"We've got to contain him, first and foremost. We've got to contain him inside the pocket and make him throw from there. He's still a good, young player. We've got to make sure we control him."

RUNNING BACK RACHAAD WHITE 

(On what the key is to victory this week)  

"The biggest thing we're harping on is the biggest key is effort. The effort was horrible last week, so the biggest thing this week is effort, energy, and then just doing the little things right."  

(On QB Baker Mayfield's perseverance to play on Sunday despite dealing with an injury)   

"The biggest thing I have seen from him is [he is] the ultimate competitor. Like I said, you talk about a QB who passes the ball, who runs the ball when [need] be, just extends plays, you know he fights out of tackles and things like that. He makes miracles happen, so everything that I have seen from him on the field all year and his fight, his competitiveness, how he is, his nature of who he is, and his character goes to tell me he will be straight on Sunday."  

(On if getting 1,000 rushing yards this season is a goal)  

"Of course, but the win is the most important. The win. At the end of the day, you want to the chance to get in the playoffs, but to get 1,000 yards to go with the win, yeah, it would be amazing."  

(On if he plans on saying anything before the game to make sure the team is not flat against the Carolina Panthers)  

"Yeah, we just have to come with some juice, with some energy, so I'm sure everybody [will] say something. Like literally everybody, no matter who [it is] on the team because we understand what we have to do. We need energy, we need juice, and [Offensive Coordinator] Coach [Dave] Canales said earlier that one play or one drive does not define the outcome of a game. You have to keep going, keep fighting, [and] keep playing. But, regardless of what's going on, we need to have juice and energy."  

(On having a microscope on him after having good games the last couple of weeks)
"Looking back when watching the film, I [saw] some things I could have done better. That's just how it goes with a win or a loss. For sure, sometimes teams just get you, man, and that's why I said at the end of the game to them… I know a few guys on the team, and I said, 'You guys [had] my number.' They had my number that day, so you just have to understand it comes with it. All the greats go through it, Lebron [James], we could name all the greats, Mike [Evans], all the greats go through it. You just have to go to the next game, [and] next opportunity that you [have]. One thing I heard Shaq [O'Neal] say because I watch basketball and stuff like that, so I watched them on TNT and they're funny, but he always [says] like, 'The great ones don't have two bad games in a row.'"  

-BUCCANEERS-