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Carolina Panthers face ultimate trap game against Tampa Bay Buccaneers

By Brandon Scott

CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 10: Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes a catch under pressure from Luke Kuechly #59 of the Carolina Panthers during the game at Bank of America Stadium on October 10, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Buccaneers won 17-14. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 10: Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes a catch under pressure from Luke Kuechly #59 of the Carolina Panthers during the game at Bank of America Stadium on October 10, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Buccaneers won 17-14. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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Carolina Panthers attempt to avoid a let down in rare trap game against Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Every week anyone can win in the NFL as parity is one of the factors which keeps it interesting for fans of many teams. Almost midway through this season only one team (Los Angeles Rams) remains undefeated and nearly half the league has an equal number of wins and losses or is just one game above or below being even. The Carolina Panthers are above this middle ground at 5-2 but host a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team (3-4) that does fall into that category.

In a normal year evoking the term “trap game” for a divisional opponent just two games back wouldn’t be conceivable but 2018 has been anything but a normal year for the Buccaneers. An injury to their starting quarterback Jameis Winston caused backup Ryan Fitzpatrick to play in the first few games of the season. His quality performance coupled with two wins kept him in the huddle even when Winston could return until a dismal performance in Chicago.

Winston regained his position but four interceptions last week against Cincinnati opened the door for Fitzpatrick to return. Leading the Buccaneers back from an 18-point deficit, only to lose on a field goal as time expired, the former backup will again serve as a starter against the Panthers.

Carolina has won nine consecutive at home, swept Tampa Bay in both games last season and according to ESPN has over an 80-percent chance at victory on Sunday. They’re riding a wave of momentum that began during a franchise best fourth-quarter comeback in Philadelphia two weeks ago and dismantled the league’s No. 1 ranked defense (Baltimore) last time out.

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Tampa Bay has one win in their last five games, leads the NFL in giveaways (19) and coach Dirk Koetter is favored to be the next coach fired after Cleveland showed Hue Jackson the door following another loss last week.

The Buccaneers appear to be a sinking ship but their team strength comes from the pass, a vulnerable aspect of Carolina. The Panthers enjoyed their best performance in the secondary against the Ravens just one week ago and will need another one to avoid becoming a victim of this trap game versus Tampa Bay.

Two games, New York and Philadelphia, could have easily gone the other way for Carolina and if so, they would be 3-4 much like their opponent. The Buccaneers lost three games by a combined 11 points where they turned the football over 10 times and only earned one takeaway. Two three-point losses to Pittsburgh and Cincinnati each had four turnovers a piece, meaning the Panthers need to create turnovers in order to win.

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Fortunately, it’s a divisional game giving the players an added incentive to not overlook their upcoming opponent in a game Carolina should win – but it may be closer than you think.

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