The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are set to face the division rival Carolina Panthers in Week 7.
The Panthers sit atop the NFC South at 3-2 while the Buccaneers are in last place at 1-5. If Tampa Bay wants to have any chance at turning the season around, it starts with winning this game.
The Panthers have a lot going for them, but they’re still a beatable team with weaknesses that the Buccaneers can exploit. If Tampa Bay wants to earn a crucial divisional win on the road, they’ll need to follow these three keys to victory.
3 keys to victory for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the Carolina Panthers in Week 7
Bucs cornerbacks must contain Tetairoa McMillan
The Panthers have the best passing offense in the NFL, and the best way to slow down the aerial attack is by containing their best wide receiver.
Tetairoa McMillan has 32 catches for 471 yards and two touchdowns on the season. He’s reached 75 receiving yards in four of Carolina’s five games.
The Buccaneers have been successful shutting down opposing WR1s this season, holding Ja’Marr Chase to two catches for 12 yards and CeeDee Lamb to two catches for nine yards. If they can similarly bottle up McMillan, it’ll go a long way toward helping Tampa Bay beat Carolina.
Zyon McCollum and Jacob Parrish need to show up ready to play lockdown defense.
Bucs pass rush must disrupt Bryce Young
The Buccaneers’ pass rush is coming off their best game in some time, generating constant pressure and sacking Aaron Rodgers a whopping five times.
If they can get after Bryce Young the same way, they could counter the Panthers’ aggressive passing attack.
With Rueben Bain Jr., David Walker, and Yaya Diaby coming off the edge, plus Vita Vea, Calijah Kancey and A’Shawn Robinson on the interior, the Bucs should be able to make Young uncomfortable and slow down a red-hot offense.
"Keep Pounding" the rock and run the football down the Panthers’ throats
In the Buccaneers’ lone win this season, they rushed for 241 total yards which enabled them to dominate the time of possession and keep the Cowboys’ explosive offense off the field. Bucky Irving led the charge with 165 rushing yards, carrying Tampa Bay to victory.
That ground-and-pound strategy could be similarly effective against Carolina. The Panthers currently rank No. 27 in rush defense, allowing 132 yards per game.
If Tampa Bay can establish a strong running game to chew up clock, wear the Panthers’ down defensively and keep their dangerous offense off the field, their chances of pulling off the road upset will increase significantly.
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