4 keys to victory for the Carolina Panthers at Buccaneers in Week 18
By Noah Bryce
Carolina Panthers must double Mike Evans
After a rash of late injuries, the Carolina Panthers simply do not have the talent capable of going toe to toe with a player like Mike Evans. The only thing left to do is send help that way. And with the latest outburst from Antonio Brown, the team was gifted the ability to do just that.
Evans is the last true threat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have on the outside as Rob Gronkowski can be shut down once again by Shaq Thompson and other players across the second level.
The perennial 1,000-yard receiver may not be the player he once was, but Evans is still a force to be reckoned with when shouldering the full burden of being the No. 1 target. And especially when going against a secondary as depleted as the Panthers are going to field.
In Week 17 the team started journeyman Rashaan Melvin, Keith Taylor Jr., and Myles Hartsfield on the outside with mixed results, but overall they performed admirably.
The only real chance the Panthers have of containing the big-bodied receiver is to shade the free safety in his direction just in case he gets by whoever is guarding him. Because it will happen eventually, if for no other reason than his sheer size advantage.
Take away Evans and it will force Tom Brady to go other places with those passes, places that aren’t proven targets with any real chemistry with the quarterback despite a couple standing out during the second half at the New York Jets.
When that rhythm isn’t there, bad things can happen, interceptions can happen. That is the way to beat this team.