The Pewter Plank
FanSided

Buccaneers: Week 16 game changers against Carolina

By Bailey Adams

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 29: Head coach Dirk Koetter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and head coach Ron Rivera of the Carolina Panthers shakes hands on the field following the Panthers' 17-3 win over the Buccaneers at an NFL football game on October 29, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 29: Head coach Dirk Koetter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and head coach Ron Rivera of the Carolina Panthers shakes hands on the field following the Panthers' 17-3 win over the Buccaneers at an NFL football game on October 29, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 29: Middle linebacker Luke Kuechly #59 of the Carolina Panthers pursues quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game on October 29, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 29: Middle linebacker Luke Kuechly #59 of the Carolina Panthers pursues quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game on October 29, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

Luke Kuechly

From one linebacker to another, who will be on the other side of the field. Luke Kuechly has been one of the top defenders in the league for years. Through all of the concussions and other injuries, the sixth-year star is still rolling. He leads the Panthers in tackles with 107 and interceptions with three. In addition to that, he has a sack, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. Kuechly has the tendency to create turnovers, which is a problem for the Bucs.

Tampa Bay’s offense can only roll if it plays clean football. On Monday against the Falcons, the Bucs looked like they were in sync and flowing. The lone fumble stopped momentum, but otherwise, the Bucs got rolling. The offense looked clean and crisp, leading to one of its best games of the year. However, the Panthers are a different kind of test. Carolina is fifth in total defense, largely due to the play of Kuechly.

As mentioned in a previous slide, the Tampa Bay offense needs to be able to run if it’s going to have success. The threat of the run opens up the play-action options for the Bucs, which is something that Jameis Winston thrives on. If Kuechly is able to help stop the run, it could shut the Bucs down altogether.

Home/Bucs News