Tampa Bay Buccaneer quarterback, Josh Freeman (pictured) and Carolina Panther quarterback, Cam Newton, will join Russell Wilson (Seattle), Michael Vick (Philadelphia), and Robert Griffin, III (Washington) as a small group of African American quarterbacks who will be starting for their teams as the NFL regular season kicks off.

On Sunday at 4:25 p. m., the Bucs will host the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium.

Last season, the Panthers humbled the Bucs twice, winning in week 13, 38-19, then coming back in week 16 with a 48-16 rout of the Bucs.

The Buccaneer team that will be taking the field Sunday isn’t the same one that faced the Panthers last year.

The Bucs will have a new head coach, Greg Schiano, a new starting running back, Doug Martin, a new safety, Mark Barron, and revamped offensive and defensive lines.
Odds makers have picked the Panthers to win, but there are some factors that need to be pointed out.

When the Panthers faced the Bucs last season in their first game, Freeman was a no show. Also this season, the Panther will have to adjust to the new players the Bucs will have on defense, as well as newly acquired wide receiver Vincent Jackson.

Five days ago, it was reported that the Bucs needed to sell 9,000 tickets before 4:25 p.m. Thursday to avoid a blackout.