What were the major factors that played a leading role during the Carolina Panthers’ final home game of 2021 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
An indifferent season is mercifully drawing to a close for the Carolina Panthers. Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was the final engagement at Bank of America and perhaps the final time fans will ever see quarterback Cam Newton in the flesh.
The quarterback saga dominated the headlines prior to the contest. An unacceptable and ongoing complication that’s left many wondering just what the Panthers are doing when it comes to pro personnel evaluation at the focal-point position.
Tampa Bay was severely under-strength in this one after a wealth of established starters during their shutout loss versus the New Orleans Saints. As it turned out, Carolina couldn’t take advantage and Matt Rhule’s men were soundly beaten against the defending Super Bowl champions.
With that being said, here are five major factors to blame for the Panthers’ disappointing reverse in Week 16.
Major Factor No. 1
Poor interior protection
We won’t spend much time on this because it’s been an ongoing problem throughout the season. But the Carolina Panthers once again faltered on the offensive line interior in big moments and it ended up costing them in a big way.
There wasn’t much to get excited about from an offensive standpoint. Firing coordinator Joe Brady during Carolina’s bye week did nothing to galvanize this group, although Brady Christensen’s performance at left tackle in the absence of Cam Erving was encouraging, to say the least.
The same cannot be said of John Miller and Michael Jordan, a guard duo that simply isn’t up to the required standard. This is something that needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency this offseason.