NFL Week 6: Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Deadly pass rushers and great runners are the keys to this NFC South showdown in Florida

Panthers vs. Buccaneers Overview:

The NFC South was hyped as one of the great divisions in football in the 2007 NFL season, but a rash of injuries made many teams fall flat on their faces. The NFC South has bounced back in the 2008 NFL season thanks to healthy rosters and outstanding play. The former NFC South Champion Buccaneers are looking good but face stiff competition from the Carolina Panthers who are rushing back to the top thanks to a pair of running backs and a gelling offensive line.

Carolina Panthers Offense:

The Carolina Panthers have completely changed their offensive identity with the addition of two great rookies in RB Jonathan Stewart and RT Jeff Otah. The two first rounders have transformed the Carolina Panthers from a finesse offense into a power run attack. RB DeAngelo Williams is also having a career year and splits carries with Jonathan Stewart to maintain a constant pair of fresh legs in the backfield. The return of dynamic playmaking WR Steve Smith forces defenses to draw their safeties out of the box and opens up more running lanes.

Carolina Panthers Defense:

Defensive end Julius Peppers has been the leader of the Carolina Panthers defense since his rookie year and is still one of the most feared DEs in football. Julius Peppers always commands double teams and chip blocks, both of which hinder opposing teams’ game plans. MLB Jon Beason is only in his second year but is already an aggressive and rangy tackler in the middle of the defense. CB Chris Gamble is a shutdown corner, but the real star of the Carolina Panthers is the emerging safety Chris Harris.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offense:

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers also love to run the ball. RB Ernest Graham was a Cinderella player in 2007 but has proved to be very real and no fairy tale. Averaging over 5.9 yards per carry, Ernest Graham is a threat to go the distance on every touch. RB Warrick Dunn has also produced well as he returns to finish his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. QB Brian Griese is ailing from an injury, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are loaded with great backup QBs. The WRs of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are their one offensive weak spot especially without Joey Galloway.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defense:

Monty Kiffin is still running his legendary Tampa-2 defense for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the innovative system is still forcing turnovers galore. DE Gaines Adams is in his second year but is already the glue that holds the Tampa Bay Buccaneers front seven together thanks to his devastating pass rush. OLB Derrick Brooks is no young man, but the future Hall of Fame player still has all the intangibles. CB Ronde Barber is another old stalwart of the Tampa-2 but is one of the best in the NFL, especially with CBs Phillip Buchanon and Aqib Talib to back him up.

Carolina Panthers Keys to Victory:

The Tampa-2’s weakness and the Carolina Panthers offense’s strength match up perfectly and it could be a long day for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The powerful direct run is the undoing of the Tampa-2 and the Carolina Panthers will hammer DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart down their throats all game long. The power run will eat the clock and keep Gaines Adams away from QB Jake Delhomme. The running game and the protection of the offensive line will allow Jake Delhomme to hook up with WR Steve Smith on the deep routes and enable even more runs.

With the injuries to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB and WRs, the Carolina Panthers can focus on stopping the run. Big DT Maake Kemoeatu must clog the center of the line so that MLB Jon Beason can fly around to make plays on Ernest Graham and Warrick Dunn. OLB Thomas Davis is another mobile and hostile Carolina Panthers linebacker who will be counted on to make plays in the running game. If the Carolina Panthers can neutralize the Tampa Bay Buccaneers running game then Julius Peppers can go full tilt for the quarterback on every play.

Buccaneers Keys to Victory:

As much as the Carolina Panthers want to stop the run the Tampa Bay Buccaneers want to establish it. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers passing game has been anemic so far and with Joey Galloway out the Bucs need Ernest Graham and Warrick Dunn to get the offense going. The run game will also keep Julius Peppers from storming to the QB on every play which will buy the quarterback more time. WRs Ike Hilliard and Antonio Bryant have stepped up in the absence of Joey Galloway, and they must offer their QB consistent targets to move the chains.

As all Tampa-2 defenses do, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers must bring their safeties into the box to stop Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams. The front seven of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers must also stay true to their gaps and zones to prevent the athletic running backs of the Carolina Panthers from running wild on outside runs. DE Gaines Adams needs to get pressure on Jake Delhomme at all times to prevent deep strikes to Steve Smith. Physical corners like Aqib Talib will be out to maul Steve Smith at the line to stop his deep-threat routes.

Panthers vs. Buccaneers Outlook:

The NFC South is a tough division thanks to the emergence of the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons as well as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers. Because of this stiff competition and brutal schedule every game in the NFC South counts towards the playoffs and the NFC South Championship. Both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers have the talent to win it all.

The new-look power run offense actually returns the Carolina Panthers to their roots when Stephen Davis brutalized defenses on the way to the Super Bowl. The strengths of the Carolina Panthers match up perfectly with weaknesses of the Tampa-2 defense, and this hurts the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The questionable QB situation and the injury to Joey Galloway limit the passing attack of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Carolina Panthers healthy roster has a big advantage over the banged up Tampa Bay Buccaneers.