Week 5 MNF Preview
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers
8:30PM EST at Bank of America Stadium
59F – 55F clear skies with 5mph winds
CAR -6 O/U: 46
The Panthers (1-3) will host their NFC South rival Buccaneers (1-3) on Monday night. This is the 32nd meeting of these two franchises with the Panthers leading the series 20-11. Carolina has won 6 straight and 8 of the last 10.
Can Anderson do it again?
Cam Newton has been ruled out of Monday’s game due to a concussion he suffered in week 4. Derek Anderson will get the start. Last Sunday Anderson went 17 of 23 with 172 yards passing and two touchdowns in relief of Newton. This will be the third start for Anderson since joining the team in 2011. Anderson started two games in 2014 and the opponent in both of those games was Tampa Bay. Anderson went 49 of 74 with 501 yards passing and three touchdowns with no interceptions in those two games.
Banged up backfields
Tampa Bay is averaging only 82.5 rushing yards per game so far this season. Doug Martin and Charles Simms are unavailable so the workload will fall to Jacquizz Rodgers. At 5’6” 205lbs Rodgers is not a typical every down back but coach Dirk Koetter reiterated this week that he is “extremely confident” in Rodgers’ ability to handle a full snap count. Carolina has had it’s own issues with a running game that has been sputtering without Jonathan Stewart. Cameron Artis-Payne and Fozzy Whittaker will combine to fill the void.
Winston will need play smarter
Jameis Winston has thrown at least one interception in seven straight games and is 1-7 in his last 8 starts. Tampa Bay has a -9 turnover ratio so far this year and will need to protect the ball if they want to be competitive moving forward. Carolina gave up over 500 yards passing to the Falcons last week and can be exploited, but Winston will have to play smarter and stop forcing the ball. Winston has good weapons, including Mike Evans, who is top 10 in the league in receptions, receiving yards, touchdowns and targets.
Keys to the game
Carolina’s defense hasn’t been able to produce consistent pressure on opposing QBs and Tampa Bay’s oversized receivers could stretch a Panther secondary that is struggling as of late. This could be a good matchup for Winston if he can avoid turning the ball over.
Tampa Bay’s defense is 31st in points allowed so far this season, but it’s run defense is solid and is only giving up and average of 3.3 yards per carry. Carolina will want to get the ground game going but that may prove difficult. Anderson will have to make plays if Carolina wants to move the ball.
Expect physical match-ups between the tight ends, Greg Olsen and Cameron Brate, and the opposing linebackers. These match-ups may be the key to the respective game-plans.
Injury Report:
Jonathan Stewart (RB CAR)- Out (hamstring)
Mike Tolbert (RB CAR)- Questionable (hamstring)
Devin Funchess (WR CAR)- Questionable (foot)
Ted Ginn Jr. (WR CAR)- Questionable (foot)
Cam Newton (QB CAR)- Out (concussion)
Charles Sims (RB TB)- Doubtful (knee)
Luke Stocker (TE TB)- Doubtful (ankle)
Cecil Shorts (WR TB)- Out (hamstring)
Doug Martin (RB TB)- Doubtful (hamstring)
Brandon Myers (TE TB)- Questionable (hip)
Follow us on twitter @thedklegends for pregame injury updates
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