The Carolina Panthers are in such disarray as the season passes the one-third mark that they seem to have more elements of a soap opera than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Followers of the Buccaneers might think that’s unlikely, but the Panthers are trying to sort out so many issues that it’s difficult to determine where to begin.
Carolina (1-5) is back home to take on Tampa Bay (3-3) on Sunday afternoon in Charlotte, N.C.
Interim coach Steve Wilks will be in charge for his first home game since the firing of Matt Rhule. The Panthers had a dud performance a week ago in a road loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Despite much of the drama associated with Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady, he has been solid again. He has thrown only one interception and completed 67.2 percent of his passes.
Still, the Bucs have been rather pedestrian on offense and that’s something they’re trying to fix.
“We have to come together and understand who we are and that we’re not last year because of the people being different,” coach Todd Bowles said.
Tampa Bay will try to crank out more offense without tight end Cameron Brate, who’s out with a neck sprain and possible concussion. Receiver Julio Jones, with a knee ailment, also sat out Wednesday’s practice.
“We’ve got to find a way to get our stars the ball,” Bowles said. “Move them around, get them off picks. Obviously, teams are going to try to double (receiver Mike Evans) and take him away more.”
The Panthers traded away disgruntled receiver Robbie Anderson after he had a sideline spat with an assistant coach Sunday in Los Angeles. The bigger question involving Carolina might be the status of star running back Christian McCaffrey, who has been the subject of considerable trade speculation.
“For me, I’m focusing on playing against the Bucs this week,” McCaffrey said.
Tampa Bay has a league-worst 67.5 rushing yards per game. It turns out that running back Leonard Fournette has been more productive in the passing attack with three receiving touchdowns.
At least the Buccaneers have a clear quarterback situation, while the Panthers are in flux. Baker Mayfield remains out with an injury, PJ Walker was dinged up last week and Sam Darnold has been designated to come off injured reserve but is perhaps not up to speed. On Wednesday, Wilks said Walker will be the starter.
Much of the frustration for Anderson reportedly was due to a conservative game plan. Walker said he’d like the chance to throw downfield more often if he’s on the field.
“We did a good job of sticking to (the plan),” Walker said. “It’s tough to not see the ball get thrown downfield.”
Laviska Shenault is a potential replacement for Anderson’s role. On defense, Donte Jackson, who scored the team’s lone touchdown against the Rams on an interception return, missed Wednesday’s practice with an ankle injury, though he told Wilks he’d be ready for Sunday’s game.
The Panthers’ only victory has come against another NFC South foe, a 22-14 Week 5 victory over the New Orleans Saints. Perhaps going against another divisional rival will aid their cause.
The Buccaneers have already defeated New Orleans and Atlanta so they’re aiming to sweep the first half of their NFC South slate.
This will be Carolina’s fifth home game, so time is running out to take advantage of home field.
The Panthers are 24-19 all-time against Tampa Bay, but the Buccaneers are 4-0 vs. Carolina with Brady at the controls.
–Field Level Media
