Panthers face Bucs in return to Division Play

by Sharon Thorsland

After a last second loss to the defending Super Bowl champs last week, the Panthers are back at home this Sunday taking on NFC South foe Tampa Bay. The loss to the Chiefs snapped a two game win streak for the Panthers, while the Bucs ended a four game losing skid with a win over the Giants last week. They’re 5-6 on the season and looking to stay in contention for the NFC South title, which is currently held by the Falcons.

The Bucs have an impressive offense led by veteran quarterback Baker Mayfield. They’re averaging over 28 points per game, that’s fourth in the NFL, and pick up over 241 yards a contest, that’s 7th in the league. The Bucs are down one of their top receivers, as All-Pro Chris Godwin is out with an ankle injury. But fellow All-Pro Mike Evans is back from a hamstring injury, and tight end Cade Otton has stepped up, he’s got 50 catches, four of them touchdowns. “He’s got a gold jacket waiting on him,” said Panther cornerback Mike Jackson of Evans. “He’s a veteran. He’s just seen it all, it’s kind of like he’s got the answers to all the questions.” Jackson and the Panther defense currently rank last in the NFL in rushing yards and points allowed, but they stepped it up against the Chiefs last week and are looking to build on that performance in this game. They’ll be challenged by a Bucs rushing attack that features rookie Bucky Irvin. The former Oregon standout has impressed since arriving in Tampa, rushing for 579 yards and five touchdowns. Irvin teams with third year back Rachaad White, giving the Bucs a potent 1-2 punch in the ground game.

The Bucs are having their own problems on defense. They rank 29th in the NLF allowing over 376 yards per game, and are 24th in points allowed at 25 a contest. Injuries to key players have been a big reason for the Bucs’ struggles, as five starters have been sidelined including stars Antoine Winfield, Jr. and Vita Vea. Safety Jordan Whitehead is the latest to land on the injury list, he’s out with a strained pectoral. But the Bucs still have an excellent linebacking crew led by Pro Bowler Lavonte David. The 13-year veteran is second on the team in tackles and has three sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception. David and the Bucs will face a Panther offense that played arguably it’s best game of the season against the Chiefs, and running back Chuba Hubbard is having an outstanding season – he ranks fifth in the NFL with 876 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.

This marks the first of two matchups between these teams this month – after losing both games last season and three straight to the Bucs, the Panthers want to flip the script. They also want to get back in the win column after the last second loss to the Chiefs and build on the progress they made in that game, “We just gotta do what we do,” said offensive lineman Robert Hunt. “Just play our game, play physical, play fast. It’s gonna be a good test for us and we’re excited for the challenge.”