Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 2 Preview

NFC South rival Tampa Bay heads to Carolina for a Thursday Night Football showdown.

The Carolina Panthers had a tough task Week 1 where they started the season 0-1 at home against the defending NFC Champions, the Los Angeles Rams. The Panther’s inability to sustain a drive early on could point to the loss. Despite the loss, the Panthers have some strengths heading into a Thursday Night Football showdown against their NFC South rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a game where the Panthers are favored to win. The Bucs, much like the Panthers, had a not-so-hot start of the season after they lost 31-17 to the San Francisco 49ers.

The Panthers will look to depend on running back Christian McCaffrey after his heavy workload Week 1, where he rushed for 128 yards, and added 81 receiving yards off 10 catches, and  two touchdowns. McCaffrey is a remarkable talent, but as amazing as he truly is, he can’t do it alone. The Panthers will need Cam Newton to get back on track after throwing for 239 yards, one interception, a 72.1 QBR, and 0 touchdowns. Much like Newton, expect Carolina’s defense to also get back on track after allowing 349 yards to a high powered Rams offense. Everything didn’t go bad for the Panthers as DJ Moore snagged seven out of 10 targets for 76 yards, Joey Style went 66% from kicking including a 52 yard long, and a Panthers fan was seen slamming a record amount of beers while watching the game.

Despite the loss and sub par stats, everyone should expect the dynamic duo of Newton and McCaffrey to destroy the Buccaneers defense. Jameis Winston, who threw three picks and only 194 yards, can be in for a long night against the Panthers defense who held Jared Goff to 189 yards the week prior. Gerald McCoy gets his first crack at his former team, and the home fans get their chance at witnessing the first win of the season.