4 Panthers players that must thrive under extreme pressure in Week 17
By Dean Jones
Which Carolina Panthers players must thrive under extreme pressure in Week 17 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
Everything is on the line in Week 17 as the Carolina Panthers make the short trip down south to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tom Brady’s men are one win away from clinching the division, but if Steve Wilks can galvanize his troops to another shock triumph, the pendulum shifts significantly ahead of their regular-season finale at the New Orleans Saints.
This is a high-stakes situation that many Panthers players haven’t experienced before. Meaningful football in December is one thing, but Carolina now finds itself in a knockout scenario and must rise to the occasion with the spotlight glaring.
Wilks will have them ready. But there’s just no telling how this sort of atmosphere on the road is going to impact a relatively young roster when it’s all said and done.
With that in mind, here are four Panthers players that have to excel under extreme pressure in Week 17 at the Buccaneers.
Player No. 1
Bradley Bozeman – Carolina Panthers C
Bradley Bozeman‘s influence since becoming the starting center has given a vastly improved offensive line another big shot in the arm. Something that will be needed in the biggest way imaginable in Week 17 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
If stud nose tackle Vita Vea recovers from a calf problem as expected, Bozeman must have all his wits about him.
The Carolina Panthers are counting on the former Alabama standout to communicate and keep one of the league’s best interior defensive linemen at bay with assistance from Austin Corbett and Brady Christensen. A tall order whether Vea is at 100 percent or not, but this is a challenge Bozeman is sure to relish based on his incredible contribution to date.