Can the 2-14 Carolina Panthers match up against the playoff-hopeful Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Sunday’s regular-season finale?
Here are three key battles that’ll help determine who comes out on top, and possibly who comes out with the NFC South, in Week 18:
Panthers iOL vs. Buccaneers DL
If Cade Mays is down, then it’ll likely be Nash Jensen up at left guard. And if Jensen is up at left guard, it’ll mark the sixth different starter that position has seen this season.
Luckily, in a sort of sick and twisted way, misery loves company. The Panthers have had six different starters at the right guard spot as well, with veteran Gabe Jackson in line to close out the campaign there on Sunday.
Jensen and Jackson—along with center Bradley Bozeman—will not only have to protect quarterback Bryce Young, but they’ll also have to open up space for running back Chuba Hubbard. Hubbard had his most productive outing of 2023 the last time these teams met—as he recorded season-highs in carries (25), rushing yards (104) and touchdowns (two) a month ago.
Panthers LT Ikem Ekwonu vs. Buccaneers OLB Shaquil Barrett
Speaking of protecting Bryce Young, Ekwonu did not do the best job at it last week. The second-year hog molly got worked by Jacksonville Jaguars standout pass rusher Josh Allen, allowing two sacks over three total pressures.
Unfortunately, Tampa has a few standout pass rushers of their own. One of them is the two-time Pro Bowler in Barrett, who notched five pressures in Week 13.
Buccaneers WR Mike Evans vs. Panthers CBs
Whether or not the Panthers defense has their top cornerback in Jaycee Horn, Evans is likely to travel quite a bit against the secondary.
The future Hall of Famer matched up against six different defensive backs over his 12 targets in that last meeting. Oh, and he turned those 12 targets into seven receptions, 162 yards and a touchdown.
Between his last two games against the Panthers, Evans has totaled 369 yards and four scores on 17 catches. So, yeah, he’s gotta be stopped.
