TAMPA, Fla. – Here’s what we know about the Panthers heading into their second-to-last game of the year.

They came into the game with their fifth and sixth different starting inside linebackers. They haven’t seen Derrick Brown since Week 1. They arrived Sunday without starting cornerback Jaycee Horn and linebacker and signal-caller Josey Jewell because of injuries.

It went just as you can imagine.

The Buccaneers took an early lead and held on to win 48-14 at Raymond James Stadium. That left the Panthers at 4-12 heading into next week’s finale in Atlanta (where the Falcons will have playoff hopes).

The Panthers surpassed the franchise record for points allowed in a season, 470 in 2019. They have now given up 496 points.

Tampa Bay gained 551 yards, including 337 in the first half alone, as the Bucs led 27-14 at halftime and scored on their first five possessions (with the only punt coming in the final 30 seconds).

You can’t question the performance, but the staff was unable to stop a Bucs team that was still fighting for its playoff life.

Not only did the Panthers get the signals from a guy who signed with Chandler Wooten last Tuesday, but they also put four undrafted players on defense.

These are the kinds of problems that can only be solved in an offseason, with free agency and the draft.