Carolina at TB - Keys to the Game

[WCABBall]

I know most of this board is counting this one in the win column way before Sunday even arrives, but after watching the Philly-TB game this afternoon I am a little cautious about an easy victory. TB actually played very well in half 1 and if not for their decision to go for two 4th downs and a pick in the end zone, the score would have been 21-16 at the half. They fell apart a little bit in the second half, but I was really impressed (as was Tim Ryan) with the play of Josh Johnson, particularly in the 1st half. When you mix that with our recent efforts in Tampa, this could be alot more interesting than we all want to admit.

That being said, Carolina has to win this game. It is on the road but Tampa is 0-5 and you have to win this game if you have any hope at a playoff berth.

Keys to the Game:

Offense:

1. Improved O-Line Play - This is key number 1 for the Panthers in this game. This line was supposed to be a strong point for this team but it has really underachieved so far with the exception of a strong game in Atlanta. Tampa struggled in their first 3 games stopping the run and we all know what kind of success we had on the ground last time these teams met. However, TB has been much better the last two weeks against the run and did a great job vs. Philly sunday. I believe in our backs but they must open holes. In the passing game, if they give Jake the time this week, Smith could have a great day. The Tampa secondary struggled vs. Maclin and Jackson and has given up tons of big plays this year.

2. Big Play Potential - We need to run, run, run, but this could be a breakout week for S. Smith. Tampa has given up alot of +30 yard plays this year and is struggling to cover the deep ball. They want to play alot of man coverage and Smith could find himself with more room than of late.

3. Rosario and Williams receiving - Philly did a great job getting their TE and running backs the ball exploiting the LB corp of the Bucs. Rosario seems to be getting more looks lately and he could be big on 3rd downs in this game.

Defense:

1. Secondary play vs. TB big recievers - Winslow, Bryant, and Clayton are 6'4", 6'1", and 6'4" in height and could present a problem for Gamble, Marshall, and Captian. Bryant is a very dangerous guy and has missed practice quit a big this year. Recently he has been on the mend and his timing seems to be better. Winslow presents a very big target and we must play well against him as we did this past week vs. Cooley.

2. Pressure on rookie QB Johnson - This guy has potential and could put up big numbers in a home game if he gets confidence early on. The ability to get pressure with the 4 down linemen will be big allowing us to drop and confuse in coverage. In the first half last week, Johnson picked up the blitz and made plays. Also have to watch his ability to run. If we can rattle the guy early it could be a long day for TB, if not could be a long day for us.

3. Shut down C. Williams and Derrick Ward - Philly shut the TB running game down as they did in Carolina. This left TB in alot of third and long situations, not a good thing for a team with a rookie QB. Williams has been running well at about a 5 yard clip until last week. If our line plays as it did last week, we could force Johnson to throw from 3 and 8 or 10 and really put pressure on TB.

[Fox007]

Should have ended it at "arrive to stadium".

[pstall]

If the Panther's don't win by double digits it shows up as an L.

[Urrymonster]

Should have ended it at "arrive to stadium".

If the Panther's don't win by double digits it shows up as an L.

Man, I hope there is a hint of sarcasm or irony in your typing there.

If you had any sense you would realise the two teams are not worlds apart and this is FAR from a shoe in. One win seperates us and we looked God awful at times in that one win.

In fact tell me one time we have actually performed well enough to guarantee us a win?

[2jakefansinva]

The way we've been playing........ Florida and Bama would give us a game. Nothing is a shoe N.

[joemac]

[bucman]

If the Panther's don't win by double digits it shows up as an L.

Because the Panthers are playing lights out, right?

[Fox007]

Man, I hope there is a hint of sarcasm or irony in your typing there.

If you had any sense you would realise the two teams are not worlds apart and this is FAR from a shoe in. One win seperates us and we looked God awful at times in that one win.

In fact tell me one time we have actually performed well enough to guarantee us a win?

Nope, I'm quite serious.

I'm trying the ol' positive side of the ball here.

I wore my Smith Jersey last week and we won.(first time this season I wore one of my Jerseys)

Now I'll be positive, see if we win.

Otherwise yes, you are right, we suck ass.

I know we suck ass, but I've already said enough about how bad we suck.

[KatsAzz]

I know some people are considering this a given win,but I just don't see how anyone could look past the Bucs even if they are winless, especially considering we barely beat the Redskins.

The biggest key to this game,in my opinion, is no stupid mistakes as you said. If we come out and play a decent game we should be able to handle them but again this game is not a given. The Bucs are hungry for a win and that could spell disaster for us if we look past them.

[MadHatter]

The Oline WILL get it together. When they do, the offense will pick it up and play to their potential.

I personally think this is the game that it occurs. The OL has been embarassed and they know it. Remember last season...it took until about Game 5 for the offense to hit stride.

IF they do, we blow out the Bucs.

If they don't, we should still win....but it will be close and ugly.

[RazzleDazzle]

Go Panthers, we win this game or I shoot my self and put it on Youtube.

[Jon Snow]

My gut feeling is we loose this game. I just haven't seen enough in this team to lead me to think they can pull this one out. I truly hope I'm wrong.

I have a feeling that they will do to us what we did to the Deadskins last week, pull a come back and we won't have an answer for it.