Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has urged his team to be on top of their game when they face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this weekend.

The two NFC South sides meet on Sunday, with Newton's men looking for their eighth win on the spin as they try to secure a playoff place.

Newton told Panthers.com: "They have a very stout defense. Their strength is the defensive line. We have to attack that and challenge them early. We also have to run the football in this game to have success.

"They're playing with confidence. It's a big challenge, it's a divisional game and it's the most important game because it's the next game.

"This is a team which is playing better and who knows for them, the sky is the limit."

The Buccaneers are on their own unbeaten run, having won their last three matches.