(Source for stats: ESPN.com)
Buccaneers have another abysmal outing on Sunday against a team that has traded away two big offensive weapons. The Carolina Panthers were underdogs coming into Sunday’s matchup traded Robbie Anderson WR (Cardinals) and stud but injury prone Christian McCaffrey RB (49ers), as well as the firing Head Coach Matt Rhule. Panthers came away with a victory 21-3 on a one sided match. Brady threw for 290 yds on 21/49 passes, with no TDs. The running game was none existent, with Rachaad White gaining 24 yds on 6 attempts, and Leonard Fournette with 19 yds on 8 attempts. Mike Evans the most consistent piece of this offense opened the first series with dropping a wide open shot that would of surely resulted in a TD. Evans did get to pad his stats coming away with 96 yds giving him 454 yds on the year but that was the extent of the good news from him.
Panthers’ QB P.J. Walker went 16/22, 177 yds and two TDs to D.J. Moore and to Tommy Tremble. D’onta Foreman added 118 yds and Chubba Hubbard 63 yds of his own for a TD.
Key points to take away from this game is that the Buccaneers have no identity. A defense that was known for being stout and unable to be ran on, is giving up yards from scrimmage like candy on Halloween. The defensive back seemed dazed and confused in the secondary blowing coverages. The offense has a patched up O-line, and a running game that has no wheels. Brady is missing throws which used to be routine for him, and out of sync with his receiving core.
Bucs need to find the spark or their hope for the playoffs will fade away!
-Jonathan Perez