The Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are back for the second London game of the year and the first rematch of the season. These two teams met on Thursday night in Week 2 in Carolina in a really sloppy game that finished 20-14 in favor of Tampa Bay.
Tampa Bay Offense vs. Carolina Defense
Jameis Winston has continued to show flashes of greatness while sprinkling in just horrible decisions, and this game will again test Winston’s mental game. In the last matchup, Winston failed to throw a pick, but he also posted a QBR of 54.9 with only 208 yards passing and a touchdown.
Peyton Barber was able to run for 82 yards in this game, but as a team, the Bucs struggled to get three yards a carry in that matchup. I do not expect to see Tampa Bay have a lot of success on the ground here.
The receiving options for Tampa Bay are very interesting because of the recent coachspeak that suggests that they will get the ball to both Mike Evans and O.J. Howard more. I am not putting a ton of stock into this talk, but it definitely makes me hesitant to rely on Chris Godwin to put up a similar 8 for 121 stat line in this game.
Carolina Offense vs. Tampa Bay Defense
This is the side of the ball that I really want to see. This Carolina team in Week 2 was hindered by the injuries of then-QB Cam Newton. Now, with Newton out and Kyle Allen in, what can this offense do to a Tampa Bay defense that was clearly selling out to stop Christian McCaffrey?
Like I just mentioned, McCaffrey had by far his worst game to date with only 53 scrimmage yards in this game, and Tampa Bay has had a lot of success vs. elite backs this year. I think that we will see this continue early in this game, but it is possible that this strategy must switch later in the game.
Curtis Samuel was constantly a good Newton throw away from a big play in the first matchup, but he never got it. With a healthy QB at the helm, I think that Samuel hits multiple big plays and sets his career high in receiving yards in this game and reaches 100 yards. If Allen can abuse this matchup early, I do think that Carolina can force Tampa Bay to change its scheme to limit the big plays.
Spread Pick
Carolina is a two-point favorite in this spot, and I love taking the Panthers minus the points here. I think that the Panthers on a full week with a healthy QB show up and show us how they are a different team when they can get the ball to their playmakers in open space. I expect a higher scoring game here, with the Panthers winning 31-24 in the rematch.
