NFL Week 13: Trends which will decide each game

Off: Carolina Panthers (4-8) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5)

Panthers: Under first-time NFL head coach Matt Rhule, the team has made some strides and has managed much of that improvement despite the absence of 2019 All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey for nine games. Mike Davis has done an admirable job in his absence, totaling 833 yards from scrimmage and scoring a combined five touchdowns rushing (3) and receiving (2). While the Carolina defense has been erratic, the club has had a bit of an opportunistic touch. A week ago, safety Jeremy Chinn returned a pair of Vikings’ fumbles for a touchdown. In fact, the Panthers lead the NFL with 12 opponent fumble recoveries and have come up with a combined 17 takeaways.

More fansided.com: 2020 NFL power rankings, Week 13: Titans roll, Raiders humbled’

Buccaneers: The club is 1-3 in its last four games after a 6-2 start. Todd Bowles’ defense was humbled by the Chiefs to the tune of 543 total yards. In the club’s last five games, the Bucs have allowed 17 offensive TDs after allowing just 14 offensive touchdowns in their first seven contests. Veteran quarterback Tom Brady has had some issues as of late. In the team’s first eight games, he served up 20 touchdown passes, four interceptions, just one lost fumble and completed at least 61 percent of his throws in each of those contests. But in the Buccaneers’ last four outings, he’s thrown almost as many picks (7) as TD passes (8) and has twice hit on less than 60 percent of his throws.