Panthers @ Buccaneers Week 17 Game Preview
The Panthers have played well lately and their strengths should exploit the Buccaneers’ weaknesses despite the latter having better skill position players.
Panthers at Buccaneers
We have a crucial NFC South showdown in Tampa Bay this weekend as the Panthers try to move one step closer to an improbable playoff berth. The Buccaneers still have the best chance to make the playoffs from their division but with how these two teams have been playing recently, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Carolina pull an upset and end up with a home playoff game in a few weeks.
The Panthers have won three out of their last four and have found success running the ball with both D’Onta Foreman and Chuba Hubbard. The Bucs have won two of their last four but are averaging just 16.5 points per game over that span, a full 10 points per game fewer than what the Panthers have managed. Despite all that, Tampa Bay is a three-point home favorite. It feels wrong to pick a Sam Darnold-led offense over Tom Brady, but I think that might be a mental trap.
The Bucs do not match up well against the Panthers defense, whose pass rush should cause all kinds of problems in this matchup. Brady clearly does not want to be hit, so he’s getting the ball out extremely quickly when pressured, which makes it difficult to create explosive plays.
Meanwhile, Carolina has averaged 242 rushing yards per game in their last three wins and will attempt to dominate on the ground again. The Bucs defense ranks highly against opposing RBs in fantasy scoring, but that’s because they’ve only allowed six rushing TDs to RBs on the year. They are actually middle-of-the-pack in rushing yards allowed. This makes me believe the Panthers will be able to move the ball on the ground, which gives them a good shot at winning this season-defining game.
From a fantasy perspective, there are a number of start-worthy players in this game. Chris Godwin is a strong play in any PPR format for his role in the quick passing game, while Leonard Fournette is a volume-based RB2. Rachaad White and Mike Evans are flex plays that you aren’t going to feel great rolling out in the championship week, but it wouldn’t be a surprise for either to score a TD. I am starting White in the championship game for of my dynasty leagues, so you know who I’ll be rooting for in this one. At the TE position, Cade Otton appears to have moved into a full-time role, which gives him some appeal in DFS contests.
For the Panthers, Foreman is a high level flex play while Hubbard is more of a desperation option if you find yourself particularly thin at RB this week. DJ Moore has quietly delivered back-to-back top 15 WR performances and should be in your lineup again this week.
Despite the Bucs clearly having a better group of skill position players, I still believe the Panthers are a better team and have been playing better football in recent weeks. The Panthers should be able to use their strengths to exploit the Bucs’ weaknesses, especially when Tampa is on offense. Doubting Brady could easily come back to bite me, but I expect Carolina to get the W on the road and put themselves in position for a playoff spot.