Could the Carolina Panthers cause a major upset by beating the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 16?
Another turbulent home schedule comes to a conclusion for the Carolina Panthers in Week 16 when they welcome the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to Bank of America Stadium. Not the easiest of propositions by any stretch of the imagination, which is reflected by the 10.0-point spread according to the latest odds from WynnBET.
Matt Rhule is under fire. A situation that could get even worse in the coming weeks before the Panthers get set for another hugely important offseason for the franchise.
Tampa Bay is coming off a shutout loss to the New Orleans Saints, so Tom Brady will want to make a statement against the Panthers in what could end up being Cam Newton’s final game in front of his adoring fans.
Things don’t look good, obviously. But here are three reasons why the Panthers might be able to pull off a substantial upset in Week 16.
Reason No. 1
Carolina Panthers generate pressure quickly
The Saints proved last week that if you can pressure Brady, it gives any team a chance of getting one over on the defending champions. At 44 years old, the signal-caller doesn’t want to be taking any sort of punishment and if the Panthers’ speedy front seven can get to the future Pro Football Hall of Famer, then it could see a mistake or two providing the secondary lives up to their end of the bargain.
Carolina was relentless at the Buffalo Bills in this area, terrorizing Josh Allen for most of the game. The likes of Yetur Gross-Matos, Haason Reddick, Brian Burns, and Derrick Brown know the challenge is a steep one, but they come into the contest with plenty of confidence.
Tampa Bay’s protection has been stellar more often than not in 2021. However, the Saints exposed some flaws in Week 15 and this won’t have gone unnoticed by Phil Snow.