5 most important Carolina Panthers players at the Giants in Week 7
By Dean Jones
Brian Burns – Carolina Panthers DE
It’s about time Brian Burns had his breakout game in 2021.
Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings was the worst of Burns’ campaign so far. Not generating one sack in the face of a suspect offensive line was not what the doctor ordered and his inability to bring down Kirk Cousins late in the game was unacceptable.
There were extremely high hopes for Burns heading into the season. His consistency hasn’t been the worst around by any stretch, but Haason Reddick is outshining him in terms of numbers, and finishing off plays a little better after getting to the spot is an ongoing frustration.
Once Burns figures this out, his numbers are going to go through the roof.
Something the Carolina Panthers need Burns to do sooner rather than later.
The former first-round pick out of Florida State is going up against a Giants protection that’s giving up just two sacks per game – ranked No. 13 in the league – so Burns needs to be at the top of his game to put together the sort of performance Panthers fans have been craving.
Burns is getting a lot more attention from opposing protection schemes. However, what separates the good edge rushers from the great is finding a way to get it done despite double teams coming their way.