Analyzing Week 2 fantasy performances in Panthers’ loss
The Carolina Panthers fell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in another hard-fought contest. Here’s how several performed in fantasy and which players should be in your lineup in Week 3.
The Carolina Panthers lost their first game on the road with a 31-17 defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The offense again came out to a fast start until Teddy Bridgewater turned the ball over for the first of what would be three total giveaways on the day.
Just like last week, the Carolina Panthers crawled back into the game. After being down 21-0 at half time, they somehow managed to regroup and closed the gap to seven with less than two minutes left in the game and with two timeouts remaining.
Unfortunately, the young defense ripped at the seams on the first play of Tampa Bay’s “run the clock” drive, allowing a 46-yard touchdown run by Leonard Fournette. Even worse than the loss, the Panthers’ best player, running back Christian McCaffrey is expected to be sidelined from 4-6 weeks with an ankle injury.
Here’s some fantasy analysis to guide you in Week 3 as the Panthers travel to Los Angeles to take on the Chargers.
Christian McCaffrey – Carolina Panthers RB
Let’s give Buccaneers’ defensive coordinator Todd Bowles some credit. This was the third straight game that his defense managed to neutralize the otherwise highly productive Christian McCaffrey. Despite only gaining 88 total yards from scrimmage, the All-Pro scored 24.80 fantasy points by getting into the end zone twice.
Start or sit in Week 3?
Sit, definitely sit.
McCaffrey will multiple weeks with an ankle injury. This is a huge loss but you’ll want to keep him on your bench because it’s likely that he will suit up again this season. Now would be a great time to pick up his backup, Mike Davis, who netted 75 yards from scrimmage and looked great as a pass-catcher.
Be wary of putting Davis in the starting lineup against the Chargers who held starting running backs to under 15 fantasy points each in the last two games.