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Carolina Panthers: The Five Best Rivalries 3.0

By John Woodcock

Dec 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) looks to pass the ball during the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium. The Falcons defeated the Panthers 33-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) looks to pass the ball during the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium. The Falcons defeated the Panthers 33-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

carolina panthers
Dec 14, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Head Linesman Jim Howey (37) steps between Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Brandon Myers (82) in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Series Record: 20-13

Key Panthers Win: 2003

Final. 9. 48. 12. 87

In 2001, the Panthers joined the NFC South. The only team that they were not familiar with in the new division was Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers were traditionally looked down upon, but Tony Dungy had been building the team steadily. The Panthers were looking at a fresh start with John Fox while Tampa dumped Dungy to see if offensive minded Jon Gruden could push them over the edge.

Tampa won the Super Bowl in the 2002 season. It was a team based on defense and a quarterback that did not make mistakes, or basically what the John Fox Panthers wanted to be. The Bucs knew it too, and this rivalry featured some player vs player rivalries. Warren Sapp vs Kris Jenkins was probably the most notable.

The Panthers went down to Tampa in 2003 and beat the Super Bowl Champion Bucs in an ugly game decided by field goals. The Panthers blocked two kicks in that game, including one to tie in the closing minute.

They went on to win the division and make the Super Bowl. The Panthers have owned the series most years since. The lone exceptions are sweeps in 2010 and 2012. In 2015 Derek Anderson was at the helm for both Tampa games, winning both.

The Panthers swept the Jameis Winston led Bucs in the 2015-6 season.

Next: Number 2

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