4 biggest challenges for the Panthers against the Buccaneers

Generating enough pressure on Tom Brady

One of the more surprising elements to the Carolina Panthers’ play on Sunday was their complete inability to generate any sort of pressure on Derek Carr. Their defensive front looked unprepared and lackluster when it came to rushing the passer and things must get better in no uncertain terms when they come up against Tom Brady this weekend.

Brady likes to get the ball out quickly to avoid contact. He is 43-years-old now and the last thing the signal-caller wants is a big body sticking him on the ground.

There have been signs of hesitancy in Brady’s play when he feels pressure in the pocket in recent years. This was especially evident against the Saints in Week 1 and although the Panthers might not possess the same quality of front seven, there is nothing to suggest they cannot create opportunities against a Bucs’ offensive line that looked suspect last time out.

Brian Burns and Stephen Weatherly were virtually anonymous on Sunday. Second-rounder Yetur Gross-Matos also struggled, playing just 25 percent of the team’s defensive snaps. This is something that needs to improve, and quickly.

This needs to be a collective effort and one that is going to have a huge say on the overall outcome. The more pressure this unit can inflict on the perennial Super Bowl winner, the better their chances will be.