4 crucial matchups the Panthers must win vs. Buccaneers in Week 16
By Noah Bryce
Jeff Nixon vs. Todd Bowles
The audition for offensive coordinator Jeff Nixon has not necessarily gone the way he or the Carolina Panthers would have hoped. Not that the interim coach has the best situation to work with.
One thing that can be said about his tenure at play-caller is that the team has finally started utilizing its players better and has at least been more creative in its play design. Aside from that, even in a loss, Cam Newton had his best game since returning to Carolina at the Buffalo Bills in what should be an encouraging sign.
That momentum is going to face a real test in Week 16 as Todd Bowles and his championship defense are coming to town and a coach of that caliber is not going to take it easy on a relative newcomer to the league.
Given the circumstances the Panthers find themselves in, it’s not really fair to judge Nixon’s performance too harshly if things go poorly. However, if he is able to pull off the unthinkable it will certainly start turning some heads around the league.
Especially when you consider that the Panthers are a run-centered team and that is the ultimate strength of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But their one weakness is the thing that Carolina can’t figure out, the pass.
Scheming to fit an opponent is something the Panthers have failed miserably at all season. We can only hope that a change of leadership will help.
Nixon is going to have to pull a rabbit out of his hat if the Panthers want to keep this game competitive. If the coordinator can beat out one of the great defensive minds in the league, there may just be some hope in Carolina after all.