TAMPA Michael Palardy Jersey , Fla. (AP)The way the Tampa Bay Buccaneers see it, they still have a lot to play for in a year in which they will miss the playoffs for the 10th straight season. Facing NFC South rivals Atlanta, Carolina and New Orleans the next three games provides the last-place Bucs (4-9) an opportunity to impact the division race, as well as the postseason outlook for the Falcons, Panthers and Saints. That prospect is enough to keep a smile on the face of Tampa Bay defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, who is clinging to hope that a biceps injury won’t sideline him from a stretch run that begins Monday night against defending NFC champion Atlanta (8-5) The Bucs play at Carolina (9-4) on Christmas Eve and finish at home against New Orleans (9-4) on New Year’s Eve. ”It is the season of giving. But for us, it’s the season of spoiling. We’ve got an opportunity to do that, and I’m just praying I can be a part of that,” McCoy said. ”You don’t want to leave with a bad taste in your mouth in the offseason. What better way to leave on a high note than to get three division wins?” the five-time Pro Bowl selection added. ”We don’t want to give those guys the upper hand going into next season.” The prime-time matchup will be the second between the teams in four games. The Falcons won the meeting 34-20 in Atlanta, with Julio Jones catching a season-best 12 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns. After facing the Bucs, the Falcons travel to New Orleans next week before returning home to play the Panthers in the regular-season finale. Atlanta coach Dan Quinn said it was predictable that the division race wouldn’t be decided until late December. If there’s a surprise https://www.carolinapanthersfanshop.com/Sam-Mills-Jersey , it’s that the Bucs are already eliminated from playoff contention after going 9-7 a year ago. ”For us, we knew it was going to come down to the end. I think all four teams are capable of being the one right down there at the end,” Quinn said. Like McCoy, Tampa Bay coach Dirk Koetter expects the Bucs to embrace the challenge to finish strong. ”The league has made a conscious effort here the last two years to have the division games mean something at the end, and I think they’ve succeeded in what they were trying to do,” Koetter said. ”Do you like it? It’s the same. It’s really no different,” the coach added. ”It’s weird playing somebody three weeks apart, but it’s happening league-wide, and it’s just something we have to adjust to and be ready.” Some things to know about Falcons-Buccaneers: RING OF HONOR Former Bucs coach Jon Gruden, who led the franchise to its only Super Bowl title 15 years ago, will be inducted into the Ring of Honor during a halftime ceremony at Raymond James Stadium. Gruden coached the Bucs from 2002 to 2008 and has spent the past nine seasons as ESPN’s game analyst on ”Monday Night Football.” DEFENDING JULIO Jones is the only receiver in NFL history with three 250-plus yard games in his career. No one else has more than one. He’s had plenty of big days against the Bucs. In 11 career meetings https://www.carolinapanthersfanshop.com/Christian-Mccaffrey-Jersey , the Falcons star has 1,359 receiving yards – an average of 123.5 per game – and 10 TDs. He needs four catches to reach 574 for his career and move ahead of Terance Mathis for second place on the franchise list. Roddy White is first with 808. ”Obviously what we did to try to stop Julio last game didn’t work too well,” Koetter said, adding that containing Jones won’t necessarily guarantee shutting down the Falcons’ offense led by Matt Ryan, who’s thrown for 995 yards, seven TDs and zero interceptions in his past three games against Tampa Bay. ”He is one of the best receivers in the league,” Koetter said. ”You always have to honor him, but they’ve got other guys.” SHORT-HANDED FALCONS Atlanta RB Tevin Coleman, with seven TDs and an average of 5.2 yards on 160 touches, went in the concussion protocol after last week’s 20-17 victory over the Saints and won’t play. That means Devonta Freeman will get the bulk of the snaps, with Terron Ward filling in behind him. Freeman has had 100-plus yards from scrimmage the last two times he faced the Bucs. HOPEFUL McCoy was injured during Tampa Bay’s 24-21 loss to Detroit https://www.carolinapanthersfanshop.com/Daryl-Williams-Jersey , leaving in the first half and not returning. He’s had biceps injuries to end seasons prematurely twice during his career, but said he’s going to do everything possible to try to be ready to play Monday night. ”It’s viable. … He’s had experience with bicep injuries in the past,” Koetter said. ”They’ve told him that this is something that doesn’t need to be surgically repaired at this time, and that (he’s) not going to make it worse by playing, but it’s a matter of can he play at the level that he’s used to playing at?” — CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Julius Peppers isn’t done playing football just yet.The 38-year-old free agent re-signed with the Panthers on Wednesday, agreeing to a one-year contract.The deal is for $5 million, with $2.5 million guaranteed, a person familiar with the situation said. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team does not release financial terms of contracts.”I am fired up to have him back,” Panthers coach Ron Rivera told The Associated Press. ”It was amazing to have him as part of what we are trying to build and I think he can help us get to the next level.”The Panthers also officially announced acquisition of Eagles wide receiver Torrey Smith in exchange for cornerback Daryl Worley, which was reported last week .Peppers had contemplated retirement after the Panthers went 11-5 last season and made the playoffs as a wild card team.Earlier this year Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis and center Ryan Kalil both said this will be their last season. Peppers could also be another player making a farewell tour in 2018.Peppers is entering his 17th NFL season https://www.carolinapanthersfanshop.com/Donte-Jackson-Jersey , including his 10th with the Panthers.A nine-time Pro bowl selection, he returned to Carolina last season and had a productive season with 11 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.Peppers helps provide some depth at defensive end after starter Charles Johnson was released earlier this offseason.Peppers’ 154sacks are the fourth-most in NFL history. He needs six sacks to pass Kevin Greene and move into third place on the NFL’s all-time list.The North Carolina native was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2002 draft by the Panthers following a successful college career with the North Carolina Tar Heels.He played his first eight seasons in Carolina before joining the Chicago Bears in 2010. He played four years there and three more for the Green Bay Packers before returning to Carolina last year.Peppers has played in 250 career games, tied for seventh-most of any defensive player in NFL history and has played in 160 straight games, the second-longest of any defensive player.He was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s.Peppers leads all active players with 20 career fumble recoveries and ranks second in forced fumbles (49) in the NFL since 2002. His 11 career interceptions rank second all-time for defensive ends.Smith brings needed speed to the team’s wide receiver position.He said in a conference call Wednesday that he’s thrilled to join the Panthers and have a chance to play with quarterback Cam Newton, whom he has worked out with in the past.”The Eagles were very open about the trade, so I wasn’t blindsided,” said Smith, who had 36 catches for 430 yards and two touchdowns while starting 14 games last year for the Super Bowl champions. ”But this is one of the places I wanted to be and I’m happy that it played out that way.”Smith played one season with former Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith in Baltimore and said he’s like a ”legit big brother I can talk to about anything.”The Panthers lost unrestricted free agent defensive tackle Star Lotulelei to Buffalo on Wednesday after he signed a five-year deal with the Bills.—