What were some quick thoughts to take from the Carolina Panthers’ win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7 at Bank of America Stadium?
After another week of big changes across the Carolina Panthers, they were heavy underdogs for their Week 7 clash against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Talk of tanking was dismissed by general manager Scott Fitterer during his media availability after trading Christian McCaffrey, but it’s clear those in power are looking ahead rather than banking on success coming in 2022.
That won’t matter much to interim head coach Steve Wilks and his players. Everyone is fighting for their futures with a new regime set to enter the fold next year, so whatever positive impression can be left over the remaining games will do their chances a significant amount of good.
The Buccaneers haven’t been in the best form under new head coach Todd Bowles. As it turned out, Carolina was able to dig deep and secure a comfortable victory to put them within one game of first in the NFC South.
With this in mind, here are ten quick thoughts from Carolina’s win versus the Buccaneers in Week 7.
Quick Thought No. 1
Carolina Panthers finally got D.J. Moore going
With Robbie Anderson and Christian McCaffrey traded this week, the Carolina Panthers needed to get D.J. Moore going in the worst possible way. The wide receiver’s been underutilized this season so far, but that all changed in Week 7 during his best performance of the campaign.
Moore was targeted 10 times, bringing in seven receptions for 69 receiving yards. There was also a notable touchdown from a P.J. Walker laser to put Carolina ahead heading into the break.
This was a step in the right direction for Moore. If the Panthers want to salvage anything from 2022, they’ll need the former first-round selection to build on this showing.
Brian Burns’ importance to the Carolina Panthers
Adam Schefter of ESPN revealed prior to the game that the Carolina Panthers turned down a trade offer consisting of two first-round selections for Brian Burns. On the basis of Sunday’s performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it’s not hard to see why.
Burns was an absolute menace from start to finish, creating pressure at will and making things incredibly difficult for veteran quarterback Tom Brady. Another fine example of why the defensive end must stay around as a core foundational piece.
Carolina Panthers approach without Christian McCaffrey
There were some real concerns about the offense after trading Christian McCaffrey, who’s been such an integral part of their game plan since entering the league. It was always going to look different, but things weren’t as bad as originally feared all things considered.
The Panthers got plenty of people involved with the likes of D’Onta Foreman, Chuba Hubbard, and Raheem Blackshear sharing responsibilities out of the backfield. Carolina managed 350 yards of total offense, but it was more than people envisaged in the immediate aftermath of McCaffrey’s departure.
Carolina Panthers looked more efficient
There might have been plenty of empty seats across Bank of America Stadium. But it was a more efficient product on the field than fans witnessed at any stage during the Matt Rhule era.
Steve Wilks has an enormous task on his hands, which was made even more difficult without McCaffrey and Robbie Anderson. However, the interim head coach can relax safe in the knowledge his players are responding to new methods and fighting hard to turn things around.
Carolina Panthers’ defense came to play
The Carolina Panthers were in no mood to mess around on defense in Week 7. They were dominant almost for the entirety of the contest, taking advantage of a lethargic Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive unit that wasn’t really at the races in this one.
For all the problems surrounding Carolina, the defense continues to prove capable of great things. That’s why the front office must avoid the obvious temptation of trading away some of the better faces within this group.
P.J. Walker’s nice day
Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold are still working their way back from ankle injuries, leaving P.J. Walker under center for their second-straight week. An opportunity the former XFL MVP candidate was eager not to waste.
Walker performed much better and there was more trust from a scheme standpoint. Whether this nice day is enough for the Temple product to keep the No. 1 job is another matter, but it’s given Steve Wilks and his staff plenty to ponder before their Week 8 game against the Atlanta Falcons.
Carolina Panthers benefitted from Frankie Luvu’s return
Getting Frankie Luvu back into the lineup was a significant boost for the Panthers. The outside linebacker is an inspirational playmaker who spurs others on for good measure, which was once again evident versus the Buccaneers.
Luvu finished the contest with four tackles. But it was the lift he gave everyone that made the biggest impression of all.
Carolina Panthers restored some pride
Being the NFL’s laughing stock was no fun under Matt Rhule. The Carolina Panthers might be hurting, but they managed to restore some pride back into the organization in Week 7.
Tanking questions surfaced after the week’s trade activity. But it’s evident that the current group of players want to do everything in their power to get this franchise back to relevancy and perhaps provide interim head coach Steve Wilks with a legitimate shot at winning the job long-term.
Carolina Panthers overcame the odds
Not even the brightest optimist expected anything from the Panthers in this one. They were 13.5-point underdogs at Bank of America Stadium according to FanDuel Sportsbook but demonstrated tremendous resolve to overcome the odds and pick up their second win of the campaign.
This all comes down to superior coaching. Wilks has everyone believing in themselves and his all-business approach is a welcome change of pace following Rhule’s disastrous tenure.
Carolina Panthers remain in playoff contention
It’s amazing to say after everything that’s unfolded within the Carolina Panthers. But they are now just one game out of first place in the NFC South after beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Making the postseason remains a possibility, especially when one examines the current state of affairs within the division. Winning in Week 7 was a small step in the right direction and it certainly makes things a little more interesting over the coming weeks with plenty still to fight for.
Carolina can enhance their chances at the Atlanta Falcons next weekend, which is an opportunity to go 3-0 against NFC South rivals. A possibility that cannot be dismissed after an outstanding victory on Sunday.