Panthers vs Buccaneers: Offensive Preview

It all comes down to this. Even after an inept offensive performance against a dominant Seahawks defense, the Carolina Panthers still hold their playoff destiny in their hands as they visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 18. These two groups just played against each other two weeks ago, so they’re going to be very familiar with one another. In the first meeting, the Panthers offense did just enough to outlast a Buccaneers team that’s been fading for the entire second half of the season. Bryce Young was quiet but had a couple of clutch touchdown passes, while Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard did enough to keep the offense on schedule.

The goal for Saturday is going to be to replicate what worked in the first meeting. It’s roughly the same plan the Panthers have been leaning on for the majority of the season, and it’s allowed them to eek out more wins than they probably deserve. That includes some pretty significant upset wins and a win against these very same Buccaneers that has set this pseudo playoff game up.

The Bucs are 1-7 since their bye week. Their lone win came over the Cardinals, and it was only by three points. In that win, the Buccaneers didn’t turn the ball over on offense, which brings us to our keys to the game.

• Take care of the football. The Panthers narrowly beat the Buccaneers in the first meeting, and a Baker Mayfield interception on the final drive proved to be the defense. The Panthers have been playing with narrow margins, so it would seemingly be difficult to overcome the Bucs having extra possessions. Fortunately, the Bucs could do some favors for Carolina here. They’ve turned the ball over at least once in five of their last six games with the one exception being that Cardinals game. The Panthers defense has been good at taking the ball away, so as long as the Panthers don’t give anything back, they can win the turnover battle as a means to win the game.
• Threaten the Buccaneers deep. Bryce Young dropped a dime to Tetairoa McMillan for one of his two touchdown passes in the first meeting. The Bucs secondary has looked out of sorts lately, so there should be space for receivers to operate down the field. Bryce has been a little too jumpy in the pocket, but he needs to hang in there and let plays develop down the field. There are going to be plays to be made there.
• Score fast. Put the pressure on Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers have been falling apart for a couple of months now, and you can see it in their body language on both sides of the ball. The defense seems disconnected and discombobulated, and there are a fair few plays in each game where Bucs defenders don’t seem particularly fired up to be out there. The usually stoic Todd Bowles has even resorted to profanity laced tirades to express his feelings...