If Ron Rivera had his druthers, the Carolina Panthers would still be playing at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
Instead, the NFL moved the Buccaneers-Panthers game to 4:25 p.m. to match up with the Cardinals-Seahawks game
By placing the two games in the same slot, the NFL is trying to guarantee both teams play their starters and try to win. Had the Panthers stayed at 1 p.m., a Carolina victory would mean the Cardinals would have nothing to play for and could rest their starters.
The move also adds intrigue to the battle for the NFC’s No.