5 major factors to blame for Carolina Panthers’ loss vs. Bucs Week 16
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers couldn’t contain Antonio Brown
It didn’t take a nuclear physicist to figure out just where the football was going to go without Chris Godwin and Mike Evans in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lineup due to injury. Antonio Brown was back from a three-game suspension and immediately became the focal point for Tom Brady in Week 16, to the surprise of absolutely nobody.
The Carolina Panthers tried valiantly to cope with Brown. However, the talented but controversial wide receiver came up with the goods in critical situations more often than not to leave no doubt as to his importance moving forward.
There were some calling for Brown to be released. Something that wasn’t ever going to happen on Brady’s watch and especially as Tampa Bay is so depleted within their wideout corps.
When Brady needed a big play, he looked in Brown’s direction. The former Pittsburgh Steeler hauled in 10 catches from 15 targets for 101 receiving yards, displaying the elite route-running that’s made him one of the league’s best over the last decade.
It wasn’t a complete wash against Brown. But when one considers the Bucs didn’t have much else to worry about in the passing game, he should have been nullified more effectively.
Controversy seemingly follows Brown wherever he goes. And opportunities will keep coming no matter what as long as the numbers are high.