5 Panthers players that disappeared at the Buccaneers in Week 17

Brian Burns – Carolina Panthers DE

Brian Burns had two sacks and three quarterback hits against the Detroit Lions Lions in Week 16 to help keep the Carolina Panthers alive in the playoff chase. Something the defensive end deserves immense credit for.

Burns made one nice play at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but fell silent in the game’s biggest moments. Failing to become the disruptor he has so often been for the Panthers in 2022.

For the Panthers to win this game they had to put Tom Brady on the turf early and often. Tampa Bay’s offense is often slow to develop, forcing the signal-caller to hold the ball longer than he often has in his career.

Burns needed to have a consistent impact on the veteran and force him to make quick decisions. As it turned out, Brady seemingly had all day to go through his progressions en route to picking apart the Panthers at will.

This is not at all questioning Burns’ effort or the relentless motor with which he plays. But the former Florida State star was Carolina’s best chance of wreaking havoc and he failed to show up consistently.

Carolina’s defense cannot afford to give up 30 points and allow what had been a rattled Brady to settle in the pocket. Unlike some, Burns took full accountability for one of his worst performances of the campaign, which left the Panthers without playoff football for the fifth-straight year.