BUCCANEERS (1-3) VS. PANTHERS (1-3)
MONDAY, 8:30 P.M. ET, BANK OF AMERICA STADIUM, CHARLOTTE uTV: ESPN
Announcers: Sean McDonough, Jon Gruden, Lisa Salters
About the Buccaneers: On the heels of a third consecutive loss and second in a row at home, life looks vastly different today for coach team after opening the season with an impressive road win vs. Atlanta. But being overwhelmed by Denver 27-7 will do that to a team, especially the way the Bucs lost Sunday. They struggled on offense, advancing once into Denver territory in the second half, and were done in by the unheralded quarterback tandem of Trevor Siemian and rookie Paxton Lynch. As bad as it was for Bucs QB (40.1 passer rating, two interceptions), he played even worse in a 40-7 loss at Arizona in Week 2 (39.2, four interceptions). So it’s on to a national stage at Carolina without RB (hamstring) and possibly their two best pass rushers, DT (calf ) and DE Ayers (ankle).
About the Panthers: Carolina’s poor start is shocking because its perennial top-10 defense has come unraveled and its big-play offense has underachieved under QB
That was evident in Sunday’s 48-33 loss at Atlanta, suggesting the defending NFC champions are sorely missing former teammate-shutdown CB Josh Norman and injured RB The Panthers yielded 503 passing yards to QB Matt Ryan, with 300 going to WR Julio Jones. Much depends on the availability of Newton, who has been placed in concussion protocol, and LB as Davis Sr. (right hamstring).
Matchup to watch: Bucs WR Mike Evans vs. Panthers CBs James Bradberry/ Mike Evans leads the Bucs with 26 receptions, 360 receiving yards and three TDs.
The Panthers defense got embarrassed by the Falcons and now must hear suggestions that they no longer are one of the NFL’s elite units. Evans hopes to add to his team-leading totals in receptions (26), receiving yards (360) and TDs (three).
If Newton isn’t cleared to play, Anderson will move under center against the Buccaneers. He played relatively well in New-
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
ton’s absence, trying to cut into a two-TD fourth-quarter deficit vs. a prevent defense.
The Panthers’ streak of 30 consecutive games with at least 100 yards rushing ended Sunday when they were limited to 49 yards on the ground against the Falcons. That ties Cleveland for the thirdlongest streak in NFL history.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Sit Cam? A case could be made that it might be wise to play backup Anderson against Tampa Bay and sit Panthers QB Newton, who has looked dazed and confused for much of this season even when not enduring the helmet-to-helmet hits. It’s a long season, and the reigning league MVP hasn’t looked like himself, nor has any aspect of the Panthers offense.
2. Run for cover: Each team needs to get mileage out of its running game to help take pressure off their quarterbacks and help open up the passing game. The absence of featured RBs Martin and Stewart and an effective running game (running back-by-committee isn’t the answer) seem to have made the Bucs and Panthers one-dimensional on offense and placed more pressure on the quarterbacks.
The more Winston tries to take matters into his own hands, the more trouble he seems to create for himself and his team. He threw 15 interceptions last season (six vs. Carolina) and has thrown eight through four games. His passer ratings this season have been all over the place (125.1, 39.2, 93.0, 40.1).
Brian Allee-Walsh