With three of the four teams in the NFC South losing in Week 1—and a few of them looking absolutely terrible in the process—the Panthers and Buccaneers are looking to turn their fortunes around in Week 2. In a game that will be live-streamed solely on the NFL Network on Thursday night, Carolina and Tampa Bay will get a second chance to show that they also can compete with the Saints (and maybe the Falcons) for a chance at the NFC South crown.
In their first performances of the season, though, neither squad was up to par. The Buccaneers got blasted out at home to the 49ers, while Carolina fell just short to the defending conference champions Rams. But Thursday night is another day—and the chance for somebody to get back to a .500 record.
Here’s everything you need to know to find a Panthers vs. Buccaneers live stream.
Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- When: Thursday, Aug. 8, at 8:20pm ET
- Where: Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte
- Streaming: NFL Network (free trials with various streaming services)
How to watch Panthers vs. Buccaneers online
Though the majority of Thursday night games are simulcast on Fox and NFL Network, that isn’t the case this week. Instead, for Panthers vs. Buccaneers, you’ll need to have access to NFL Network or its stream to take in this contest.
What is NFL Network?
NFL Network is, simply put, where you go if you want to be immersed in pro football. There’s plenty to love about NFL Network, including the ability to watch exclusive shows like Good Morning Football, NFL Total Access, A Football Life, Inside the NFL, and most importantly, Sunday’s NFL GameDay once the regular season begins. There’s also daily programming devoted to fantasy football and power rankings—the kind of stuff football lovers will geek out over. NFL Network shows most Thursday night games during the regular season, and it’ll exclusively show some of the international games in 2019. Take note, though: NFL Network can no longer be seen via DirecTV Now.
The bottom line: If you want to get closer to the action and catch (almost) every Thursday Night Football game, you need NFL Network.
1) Sling TV
Sling TV
Sling TV
NFL Network" class="wp-image-633266" src="https://www.dailydot.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/panthers_vs_buccaneers_live_stream_sling.jpg"/>- Cost: $25-$40 per month (40% off first month)
- Sling TV devices: Amazon Fire TVs, Android Fire Stick, Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, Xbox One, Google Chromecast, Oculus Go, and iOS and Android devices
- Sling TV local channels: NBC, Fox (check your local availability here)
If you want to watch Panthers vs. Buccaneers online via Sling TV, you’ll need to be subscribed to either Sling Blue ($25 per month) or Sling Orange + Blue ($40 per month) (Sling Orange does not offer NFL Network). Both of those packages include a number of sports channels—like three ESPN channels, NBCSN, and FS1—and it’s still a nice perk that Sling subscribers can order a la carte packages. Sling TV also offers a special Latino package for bilingual viewers. Sling TV is currently offering a deal where you can subscribe for 40% off the regular price for the first month of your subscription. That means Sling Blue would cost $15, and Sling Orange + Blue would cost $25. (Here’s a complete guide to Sling TV channels and our Sling TV review.)
For $10 extra per month, you can get NFL RedZone via the Sling Blue Sports Extra package.
How to use AirTV with Sling
AirTV solves one of the Sling’s biggest problems: The inability to receive all of your local channels. By purchasing a basic AirTV for $79.99 or the AirTV Player for $119.99, you can merge those local channels into your Sling TV, (or on your mobile device if you have the basic AirTV). As the Daily Dot wrote in its AirTV review, “It’s practically magic.”
The basic AirTV is a dual-tuner streaming device, while the AirTV Player is basically an upgraded Chromecast that has Netflix preinstalled. You’ll still need to own an HD antenna because even though AirTV gets you access to your local channels, it doesn’t actually physically show them to you.
But AirTV—which has no monthly fee—serves to strengthen one of Sling’s biggest weaknesses compared to other live streaming services like Hulu with Live TV, YouTube TV, and PlayStation Vue. All those services have plenty of local channels.
2) FuboTV
- Cost: $54.99 per month (after a 7-day free trial)
- FuboTV devices: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Android TV, iOS and Android devices
- FuboTV local channels: Fox, NBC, CBS (check local availability here)
If you’re a big-time sports fan, FuboTV is probably your best streaming service option. If you love international soccer and you’re a Spanish speaker, FuboTV also offers various add-on packages, including Fubo Latino and Fubo Português. FuboTV’s basic plan boasts nearly 100 channels and includes NFL Network. At $54.99 per month, you’ll also get FS1, FS2, NBCSN, NBA TV, Big Ten Network, Pac 12 Network, BeIn Sports, and CBS Sports Network, along with premium channels like FX/FXX/FXM. The only notable omission for sports fans is ESPN. You can add Fubo’s Sports Plus package for an additional $8.99 per month, which will allow you to stream NFL RedZone, (Here’s the complete FuboTV channels list.)
3) PlayStation Vue
PlayStation Vue
PlayStation
NFL Network" class="wp-image-633280" src="https://www.dailydot.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/panthers_vs_buccaneers_live_stream_playstation_vue-807x512.jpg"/>- Cost: $44.99-$79.99 per month (after a 5-day free trial)
- PlayStation Vue devices: PlayStation 3 and 4, Roku, Amazon Fire, Google Chromecast, Kodi, iOS and Android devices
- PlayStation Vue local channels: NBC, Fox, ABC, CBS (enter your ZIP code here to check your availability)
If you’d like to watch live TV directly from your PS4, PlayStation Vue is your best bet. PlayStation works with streaming devices like Roku and Amazon Fire products, but what separates PlayStation from the rest of the streaming services is that it’s also compatible with Kodi. No matter how you stream, you’ll get to choose from four tiers of channels—all but the cheapest include NFL Network. From there, you can also add NFL RedZone as part of the $10-per-month Sports Pack, which unlocks ESPN Bases Loaded, ESPN Classic, Longhorn Network, Outside TV, and NBCUniversal regional sports networks. You can see the full list of PlayStation Vue channels here. Two other great perks: You can stream on up to five devices at once, and there’s also unlimited cloud DVR.
Other ways to watch Panthers vs. Buccaneers online
1) The NFL app
Cost: Depends on provider
Devices: Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, PS4, Roku, Android RV, iOS and Android devices
If you subscribe to NFL Network through your cable provider—or you know someone who does and they owe you a big favor—you can also watch via the official NFL app. All you have to do is download it from your streaming device of choice—Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, PS4, Roku, or Android TV—and then enter in your cable credentials when prompted. You can also stream on any iOS or Android device, or on your desktop. Just visit nfl.com/watch.
Panthers vs. Buccaneers: Why it matters
Carolina had an opportunity to make a statement in Week 1 while playing host to the Rams. If the Panthers could beat Los Angeles, they could prove that it’d be possible to make a run to the postseason with two of the most exciting offensive players in the game, quarterback Cam Newton and running back Christian McCaffrey.
But Carolina fell behind by 13 points in the third quarter and thanks to a few too many turnovers it allowed the Rams to escape with the win. Newton wasn’t especially good, helping cause a fumble and then throwing an interception late in the game. Afterward, Newton, who missed the final two games of last season because of a shoulder injury, said he felt a little rusty and said, via the AP, that he and his teammates “weren’t connected to the same Wi-Fi.”
Luckily, the Panthers get a quick reset against Tampa Bay for a chance to wash out that sour taste in their mouths. And if the Buccaneers continue to perform the way they did vs. San Francisco last Sunday, it’s going to be a long season in central Florida.
Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston was horrendous, and it’s sparked questions on whether it’s possible for new coach Bruce Arians to fix him.
Thoughts on Jameis Winston pic.twitter.com/26NYxhCjyh
— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) September 9, 2019
Or as the Tampa Bay Times wrote:
What did we watch?
A Tampa Bay Buccaneers football game or the trailer for the new Joker movie?
No matter, it was a clown show at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday.
Penalties. Fumbles. Interceptions.
It felt … familiar. We’ve seen this before, and it’s not funny.
The Buccaneers probably are the worst team in the NFC South and potentially are the worst team in the entire NFL. Which is why it’s likely the Panthers will be feeling pretty good about themselves on Friday morning.
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