The Pewter Plank
FanSided

5 Bold predictions for Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers

By Cory Kinnan

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 06: Teddy Bridgewater #5 of the New Orleans Saints avoids a tackle by Shaquil Barrett #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes Benz Superdome on October 06, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 06: Teddy Bridgewater #5 of the New Orleans Saints avoids a tackle by Shaquil Barrett #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes Benz Superdome on October 06, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 18: Tight end O.J. Howard #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carries the ball as he is defended by linebacker Tae Davis #58 of the New York Giants during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium on November 18, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The New York Giants won 38-35. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 18: Tight end O.J. Howard #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carries the ball as he is defended by linebacker Tae Davis #58 of the New York Giants during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium on November 18, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The New York Giants won 38-35. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

O.J. Howard explodes onto the scene

One of the most head scratching parts through the first five games of the season for the Bucs has to be their usage of tight end O.J. Howard. A walking mismatch, Howard has the ability to tower over safeties and blaze past linebackers, however the Bucs have not found out how to utilize him efficiently as he is kept in as a blocker on the majority of his snaps.

More from The Pewter Plank

The first bold prediction: This will be the weak that the Bucs unleash Howard as he bursts onto the scene. Thus far in the season, Howard has just 11 catches for 141 yards and no touchdowns through the first five games; he will go over the century mark in this matchup against the Panthers, and he will get into the endzone for the first time this season.

Asked about Howard’s usage this year, offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich stated that Howard’s time is coming; it sure is and he will arrive on Sunday. After catching a foul ball at the Tampa Bay Rays’ playoff game earlier this week, he will make an even more impressive catch against the Panthers.

Howard is such a weapon that the Bucs have not utilized properly this season, but that changes on Sunday. Keep an eye on the former first rounder as the Buccaneers are looking for a third option in the passing game behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.

Home/Bucs News