Loser No. 5
Rasheed Walker - Carolina Panthers OT
This was a day to forget for the offensive line. And veteran left tackle Rasheed Walker was the biggest culprit in their demise.
The Carolina Panthers thought they'd struck gold with Walker in free agency. His market wasn't as hot as some experts predicted, largely because of an inconsistent 2025 campaign with the Green Bay Packers. But with Ikem Ekwonu out with a torn patellar tendon, general manager Dan Morgan thought it was a risk worth taking.
It hasn't gone well so far. And this was Walker's most disappointing performance of the campaign to date.
According to Next Gen Stats, Walker gave up three sacks and six pressures. He was bull-rushed into right tackle Taylor Moton's leg, causing a fractured fibula and an ankle problem, likely ruling him out for the entire campaign. He also looked too slow to handle the Buccaneers' powerful edge rushers.
The sooner Ekwonu returns, the better.
Winner No. 2
Bobby Okereke - Carolina Panthers LB
As previously mentioned, there were very few bright spots to take from the contest. It was a one-sided affair almost from the first whistle to the last, and the Panthers took a major step back while also giving the 1-5 Buccaneers life.
Bobby Okereke was among the bright spots. As always, the veteran linebacker was around the football consistently and made his tackles count. He finished with 10 tackles, one tackle for loss, and a pass breakup, continuing his outstanding start in Carolina.
Okereke at least tried to make things happen when it looked like almost every other defensive player had already downed tools from a long way out. If even half of them had shown the same application, this game may not have been so putrid from Carolina's standpoint.
Alas, it wasn't to be. But this was another example of how important Okereke is to the Panthers' plans this season.
Loser No. 6
Dave Canales - Carolina Panthers HC
Dave Canales, not for the first time in his Panthers tenure, was outcoached by Todd Bowles. The head coach didn't have his team ready to play, and the excuses after such an embarrassing loss simply didn't suffice.
Canales was happy with the defensive calls. He was happy with the offensive calls. He blamed his players for their lack of execution, and he's right to a certain extent. But he knew what Bowles' blitz-happy defense would bring, and the Panthers had no answers.
The Buccaneers knew that the best way to attack Carolina was off the edges without Jaelan Phillips and Nic Scourton. Again, the Panthers had no answer. And this was the most brutal wake-up call imaginable.
It seems like every time Canales talks about the potential to play championship football, the Panthers fall way short of expectations. When this keeps happening, it's on coaching.
And they need a massive response in a short week.
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