Three Carolina Panthers players that need to step up on Sunday

Christian McCaffrey

If Cam Newton is the player in the Carolina Panthers offense that sets everything in motion, Christian McCaffrey is the one who executes it. To put it simply, the former Stanford product is vital to the Panthers offense. Some would argue he has been a bigger contributor in games then Newton this season. After a solid game against a tough Baltimore Ravens defense, McCaffrey needs to have a huge game and step up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

McCaffrey rushed the ball 14 times for 45 yards and a touchdown. Averaging  3.2 yards per carry, a 19-yard run was his longest on the afternoon. In the passing game, he caught four passes for 11 yards and a touchdown. An  eight-yard catch was his longest on the day. He did not have the type of game that would make headlines, but he was a stabilizer in the Carolina Panthers offense. In tough games, sometimes that’s all you need.

Navigating Tampa Bay’s rushing defense is not going to be easy. They are among the best in football. Ranking eighth in the league in yards allowed, they have given up 674 on the season. With a defense that includes the likes of Vinny Curry, Jason Pierre-Paul, and Gerald McCoy, that certainly presents a challenge. Add in linebacker Lavonte David to the mix and you have yourself a talented defensive line. To his credit, David leads the team in tackles with 56 and has a forced fumble to boot.

A divisional game late in the season is the perfect opportunity for McCaffrey to step up. He needs to, as he is a key member of the offense. Without him functioning at the high level he normally does, the Carolina Panthers could find themselves on the losing end. Key games like this are when you need your stars to shine. Sunday is McCaffrey’s opportunity.