The Carolina Panthers will get their rematch with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week in London.
This time around, the Panthers have a healthy quarterback and a three-game winning streak. Will the results be different than the disastrous Thursday night matchup a few weeks ago? We will find out. Here are six stories to follow for Sunday’s international affair.
Can Carolina run against the Tampa defense?
By now you have probably heard the news that Christian McCaffrey is immortal, unstoppable and definitely going to be the first running back to win MVP since Adrian Peterson in 2012. He looked decidedly human against Tampa Bay Week 2, though. The Bucs contained McCaffrey to just 37 yards on the ground on 16 carries and they have the No. 1 rushing defense in terms of DVOA in the league. It would be wise for offensive coordinator Norv Turner to change things up and instead go after Tampa’s secondary – the Bucs have given up the most passing yards per game (323.6) this season. However, the Panthers have a run-first identity on offense and they’re unlikely to try getting away from it. In that case, Turner will need to come up with a better game-plan against Todd Bowles.
Will Kyle Allen get his fumbling issues fixed?
One reason the Panthers are such a run-heavy kind of team is they can’t rely on their current quarterback to drive the ball down the field. Kyle Allen lit up the Cardinals for four touchdowns but he’s played far below average in the two games since. Allen needs to stop bailing so early and give his receivers time to beat Tampa’s DBs. Allen also has to put a lid on his fumbling problems. In three starts he’s already fumbled six times. Allen is lucky his turnovers haven’t cost his team a win and he has to correct the problem as in yesterday.
Sack battle: Mario Addison vs. Shaquil Barrett
Just as everybody predicted coming into the 2019 season, Shaqil Barrett is leading the league in sacks and Mario Addison isn’t far behind. Barrett has already posted nine and Addison ranks third behind Myles Garrett with 6.5. Barrett abused Daryl Williams at left tackle in that Week 2 matchup, totaling three sacks and four quarterback hits. Whether it’s Williams or Greg Little or Dennis Daley, Carolina needs the left tackle to pass protect better this time around. As for Addison, he’s made a habit of dominating Tampa’s front line. Over the last four meetings, he posted 5.5 sacks against the Bucs.
Efe Obada’s homecoming
Addison is far from the only threat Carolina has to get to the quarterback coming off the edge. Obada hasn’t seen much playing time this year (he’s played 25.4% of the team’s defensive snaps) but he’ll be under the spotlight since he’s playing in his home town. It will no doubt be an emotional game for Obada, which can cut either way. For example, last year Devin Funchess laid an egg and dropped four passes in front of a friendly Detroit crowd. Then again, a few weeks ago Kyle Allen looked like Joe Montana playing in Arizona. The Panthers’ starting pass rushers are potent, but any pressure Obada can add will be welcome.
Mission: Contain Chris Godwin
One of the main reasons why the Panthers lost in Week 2 was their inability to contain Godwin. He went off (especially on Donte Jackson) for eight catches, 121 yards and a touchdown. Turns out, that wasn’t a fluke. Godwin has been roasting everybody he’s faced this season. Heading into Week 6, he leads the NFL in receiving touchdowns (six) and ranks third in receiving yards (511). Double-teaming Godwin is probably impractical given Tampa’s other weapons like Mike Evans. So, whoever draws the unenviable assignment has to find a way to slow Godwin down.
Kicker issues: A hiccup or a trend?
Frankly, the Panthers were lucky to escape Sunday’s game against the Jaguars with a win. There were many factors that made it much closer than it needed to be – one of the top ones was Slye’s performance. He had one 55-yard field goal blocked by Calais Campbell – which happens. However, he also missed from 46 yards and a crucial extra point attempt. Otherwise, Slye had been brilliant for the entire season. Carolina fans know as well as anyone that kickers can be notoriously streaky. The question is if Slye’s Week 5’s struggles were just a fluke or the beginning of a trend.
