The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will go on the road to face the Carolina Panthers in Week 7.
At 1-5, the Buccaneers are down, but not out. A win over the first-place Panthers could help the Buccaneers pick up some ground in the NFC South and would serve as a big first step in getting the season back on track.
If Tampa Bay is going to win, they’ll need a lot to go in their favor. Here are three bold predictions for the Buccaneers as they look to pull off an upset win in Carolina.
3 bold predictions for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the Carolina Panthers
Buccaneers shut down Tetairoa McMillan
Tetairoa McMillan is the Panthers’ best wide receiver, and has potential to single-handedly take over a game. That was on display when he recorded 14 catches for 192 yards and two touchdowns against the Detroit Lions in Week 4.
The 6-foot-5, 212 pound weapon is a matchup nightmare for opposing defensive backs. Bucs cornerbacks Zyon McCollum and Jacob Parrish must be prepared for the challenge.
So far this season, Tampa Bay has completely bottled up both Ja’Marr Chase and CeeDee Lamb, holding them to just two catches each.
Todd Bowles has come up with some great game plans to contain premier wide receivers, and he’ll do it again. The Buccaneers will limit McMillan and hold him under 50 yards for just the second time this season.
Bucky Irving rushes for 100 yards
The Panthers currently rank as the NFL’s No. 27 run defense, allowing 132 yards per game.
The last time Tampa Bay faced a bottom-tier rush defense, they totaled 242 yards on the ground against the Dallas Cowboys, led by Bucky Irving with 165 yards.
Carolina boasts one of the NFL’s best offenses. They rank No. 2 in total yards, No. 1 in passing yards, and No. 4 in scoring, putting up 29 points per game. This is a truly dangerous offense, and the best shot the Buccaneers have at slowing them down is establishing the run and dominating the time of possession like they did against Dallas.
The rushing attack, led by Irving, is the biggest key to victory, and he'll get the job done with a big day on the ground.
David Walker gets another sack
David Walker has been the Buccaneers’ best pass rusher, with four sacks on the year. He sacked Aaron Rodgers twice last week.
Walker currently has the highest pass-rush win rate of any player in the NFL, and he’s expected to earn more playing time as a result.
Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is producing at an elite level, but getting after him with pressure and sacks is a surefire way to get him off his game.
Walker will answer the bell with another sack and lead the way for Tampa Bay’s pass rush as they look to stifle Carolina’s red-hot passing attack.
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