Huddle prediction: who will win and why....

[ed bell]

Pros:

-Might just have a healthy Stewart?

-Our new WR1 gets on the field

-Our #2 Defense is at least as good as last year.

-Bucs instability at QB

-Best FG/Punting combo in a long time, maybe ever

-Riverboat

 

Cons:

-Season opener history/Slow starts

-Bucs D-Line vs. our O-Line

-History of poor showings against backup QBs (essentially what a 35 year old McCown is)

-Conditioning for an afternoon away game in Florida

-Cam not 100%

 

I'm going with the D stepping up and shutting them down and taking the pressure off the Offense coupled with a sweet reminder of what a healthy J-Stew does for the overall running game, D-Lo included.

 

Carolina 24- TB 10

[KJ89]

the bucs will not score a touchdown.

[mbarbour21]

- We will hold on to the ball as much as possible and win T.O.P. (Move chains alot per drive)

- Cam hooks up with 10 different receivers (WR, TE, RB, FB)

- Doug Martin is shut out when it comes to points, but breaks for a few big runs and receptions.

- The front 7 shine and suprisingly so does the secondary.....in the 2nd half. Secondary gives up a TD early, but then locks down.

Panthers win: 24-13

[xerxes]

The Bucs DLine is very, very good. Our offensive line is very, very suspect.

Our DLine is very, very good. The Bucs offensive line is very, very suspect.

 

It goes both ways. 

[firstdayfan]

Sometimes stats lie and sometimes stats can tell the hard truth that no one wants to admit.  Our record in opening weekend games over the last decade definitely is something that is not a fluke.  No one knows for sure why it happens but it definitely happens.  Even one of the few wins we've had needed remarkable last second comebacks (two by jake).

 

So I will say that we lose yet again because I do not think this team is ready yet, I don't think they have an identity on offense and I think the special teams is a huge liability.  Does it mean we will have a disastrous season?  Nope.  What were the odds of us making the playoffs last year after the way we started?  Now thats a stat that definitely lied.

 

Back to the game, I think we get hit in the mouth and just simply play sloppy football.  Cam throws a couple picks, takes several sacks and the running game never gets going.  I think KB has a decent game for a rookie with 6 catches for 59 yards but thats not what we are looking for.  The defense will start off very strong and keep this game close in the beginning but eventually they will tire and start giving up big chunks of yardage.

 

Bucs 24-Panthers 13

[DeeJay]

We win 

 

100-97

[panthers90]

20-16 good guys

[CRA]

Tampa. They will win the field position battle.

We open up with DeAngelo as the main RB. Have a lot of 3rd and longs. Sets up for them to go off on our OL.

Also I see a PR fumble. Too many red flags with our returners....we deserve it too. Should of known better.

Plus the heat wears us down.

I still see us at 9-7ish. But we need Cam to get healthier, DeAngelo to not be the lead RB, and get our pass game more insync. Tampa D is tougher....and they will beat us at our own game week 1

[carolina-chuck]

TB 17 CAR 7

-Bucs score on their opening drive.

-Offense will struggle: Cam, OL, RB

-Defense will struggle too. VJax and Evans having their way on the secondary + D can't stop the run

-Doug Martin 100+yds

-Cam will pound it in from the goal line in the late 4th. Too late.

[Kuech the Sneak]

TB 17 CAR 7

-Bucs score on their opening drive.

-Offense will struggle: Cam, OL, RB

-Defense will struggle too. VJax and Evans having their way on the secondary + D can't stop the run

-Doug Martin 100+yds

-Cam will pound it in from the goal line in the late 4th. Too late.

I can agree with most but not Doug Martin going off and us not stopping the run, I think we lose because of our struggles on opening day and they will expose our weaknesses. D will keep us in the game and give us a chance though

[jfo89]

Our safeties struggle, as well as the run game. for this game and the first couple weeks. Evans and the tight ends have decent games, but our D still holds them to under 20. Our passing game is better than expected, and we win in a close game.

[carolina-chuck]

I can agree with most but not Doug Martin going off and us not stopping the run, I think we lose because of our struggles on opening day and they will expose our weaknesses. D will keep us in the game and give us a chance though

I hope so but we haven't looked that good stopping the run in PS. Hopefully CJ will help.

If we can't stop the pass, the Bucs will find a way to run the ball.

[CRA]

I can agree with most but not Doug Martin going off and us not stopping the run, I think we lose because of our struggles on opening day and they will expose our weaknesses. D will keep us in the game and give us a chance though

Tampa is the type D Williams struggles with....if he is our lead rusher we have little chance IMO.

[MurkN]

We squeak out a win in a slugfest. 3-0 in overtime.