4 bold predictions for the Carolina Panthers at LA Rams in Week 6
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers DE Brian Burns gains 3 sacks
Last week’s bold predictions outlined the potential for Brian Burns to have a good game against the San Francisco 49ers. Something that proved true without Trent Williams in the lineup, even if it didn’t have the necessary impact on the overall result.
Burns has been the subject of trade speculation in the immediate wake of Matt Rhule’s firing. While he is a valuable asset that could accumulate high-end draft capital, the Carolina Panthers don’t have another reliable pass-rusher, and players with his skills don’t grow on trees.
Of all the players Carolina could ship out, Burns should be off the table. His emergence as a core piece on and off the field dictates as much, but fans should also acknowledge that everyone has a price when it comes to NFL dealings.
Sunday’s game at the Los Angeles Rams represents another opportunity to boost his numbers against an offensive line that’s been a shell of its former self. Andrew Whitworth’s retirement hit them hard and things haven’t been the same on the interior since Austin Corbett left to join Carolina in free agency.
Burns should be licking his chops about this matchup. And one cannot ignore the difficulties Matthew Stafford is having under pressure in 2022 so far.
Achieving three sacks against any opponent is difficult. But if Burns can generate early momentum, it’s not impossible by any stretch of the imagination.