The Panthers defense faces a Buccaneers offense that very much needs to control the game this Sunday.
Happy Holidays Panthers fans! I hope your gifts were as generous as the Panthers run defense! While the team is coming off its 4th win of the season, the defense is still a major problem. They probably won’t find a gift under the Christmas tree to fix their faults prior to the end of the season, nor do I think any New Years resolutions will come to fruition for this year’s unit to close out the season. They’ll have free agency and the Draft to adjust, but that’s a conversation for 2025. Let’s dive in as we come closer to the end of the 2024-25 regular season.
For the love of everything, guard Mike Evans
It seems every time we talk about Panthers/Bucs, Mike Evans is a consistent factor. I’m not sure what Carolina ever did to him or his family, but he has consistently come in and wrecked shop against this defense, both in the good and bad eras. Per Statmuse.com, Mike Evans has caught 20 touchdowns against the Panthers in his career. For context, he has 103 total TDs so far, meaning he’s caught nearly 20% of his touchdowns JUST against the Panthers in their two games per season. Last time they faced off, Evans put up another 100 yard game and score, helping the Bucs fend off a Panthers team with momentum in an overtime classic. Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson will have their work cut out for them, as Evans and Cade Otton are the offenses primary weapons. But a Jaycee Horn lockdown game would certainly be nice.
Bucky Irving is in a great spot for fantasy owners
Following last week’s win over the Cardinals, the Panthers rush defense is ranked basically dead last in every rushing defensive metric by TeamRankings.com. The Cardinals added another 200 yard performance to this defense’s resume this week, and RB James Conner was averaging 7.8 yards per carry before getting knocked out of the game with an injury. Josey Jewell and whomever ends up being his running mate will not have an easy day, as the Bucs have consistently funneled their offense through their runningbacks, both as runners and as pass catchers. The front seven is remarkably healthy considering the time of year (obviously still without DL Derrick Brown and LB Shaq Thompson), so if there’s ever a week to clamp down on the runningbacks, this is it.
Contain Baker Mayfield, come up in big moments
We’re it not for some late game heroics by Baker against this defense in the last meeting, the Panthers would have 5 wins on their record. This time around, they don’t have the benefit of playing on home turf. The Panthers will travel to Tampa this time around and this game is pivotal for the NFC South crown, and the playoff spot that comes along with it. The Bucs will be showing up once again, as losing will likely kill the Buccaneers playoff hopes and cede to the Atlanta Falcons. Baker Mayfield always tends to show up in these moments, and the Panthers will need to play in response. Limit those attempts to get out of the pocket and make plays out of structure, and get those negative plays against him. As I stated above, Mike Jackson and Jaycee Horn will already have their hands full.
Who is ready to ruin the Bucs playoff hopes? Sound off below on what you’d like to see from the defense!