5 Buccaneers players the Carolina Panthers must keep quiet in Week 18
By Jason Huber
Rob Gronkowski – TE
As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiving corps gets more and more depleted each week, the legendary Rob Gronkowski has stepped up in a big way. This is exactly what Tom Brady was hoping regarding a player he’s developed historic chemistry with over the years.
Last week, Gronkowski hauled in seven receptions for a total of 115 receiving yards at the New York Jets, proving that he can still be one of the best tight ends in the league when sufficient targets come his way.
Gronkowski was held to one catch for 23 yards in Week 16 against the Carolina Panthers and with Brady likely to be targeting him even more this week, that type of production that he had two weeks ago is what Phil Snow’s defense has to potentially counteract in their season finale.
It’s hard to suggest any specific Panthers defender to shut down Gronkowski given how much of a mismatch he’s been throughout a Pro Football Hall of Fame-caliber career. So the biggest thing that they have to hope for is he either tires out or just isn’t targeted a lot.
His production will be key in how Tampa Bay’s offense performs this week. And make no mistake, it needs to be a collective effort or Gronkowski could take over proceedings.