DJ Moore

Week 3 Predictions vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Vince's Vindications


By: Vince Holmes

A slow start to the Rhule Era of the Carolina Panthers to start the season. Untimely injuries and inconsistent play among other things have contributed to the Panthers 0-2 start for this season. While it hasn’t been all bad for the Panthers, the players have been able to compete enough to be in position to win both games. I predict more of the same for this young and inexperienced team and coaching staff. Here is why I believe the Panthers will fall short yet again despite putting forth a valiant effort.

Injuries

The 2019 NFL OPOY RB Christian McCaffrey has been put on IR for at least the next 3 weeks and facing a stout defense without your best player is always tough. McCaffrey has been the lifeline of the Panthers offense for the last 2 seasons and adjusting to life without McCaffrey will be tough against this stout Chargers defense. Final score prediction is:  Carolina 20 Los Angeles 24.

Key Matchups

RT Taylor Moton vs. the pass rush edge duo of Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram will be key if the Panthers want to win on Sunday. This matchup also is key for Moton off the field as he seeks his first long term deal. Handling Bosa and Ingram would be a good start to him getting a new deal.

Rookie QB Justin Herbert makes his 2nd NFL start against a struggling Panthers secondary. Herbert will be making his 2nd start but this week will be his first, preparing throughout the week as a starter. I expect Herbert to be confident and well prepared to spread the ball around to his weapons on Sunday and build off an impressive start from last week vs. the defending Super Bowl Kansas City Chiefs.

Players To Watch

Rookie RB Joshua Kelly has been impressive early in this season. A struggling Panthers run defense will have it’s hands full slowing him down and his running mate RB Austin Ekeler. Neutralizing both of these players should be priority #1 for Panthers defensive coordinator Phil Snow and company.

RB Mike Davis is getting the start for the Panthers. For the last two seasons the offense has run through McCaffrey. I’m interested to see how Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady uses Davis on Sunday and how that impacts the overall offense. If Davis can provide a semblance of a running game while contributing in the passing game, it bolds well for Brady and the offense to put up points on Sunday.

A Look Ahead: Packers

Game Breakdowns, Prime Cuts with Norris

Carolina Panthers
at
Green Bay Packers
4:25

I predicted a 30-17 win for Carolina, but I was off by 3. I’ll try to be better this time. Carolina got back to their winning ways against Tennessee, and CMC continues his historic pace. There are still things that need to be improved, but overall this was a good team win. Carolina won’t have much time to celebrate, as they have to get ready for Green Bay. Here is a look ahead to the Packers:

Green Bay Packers

Head Coach

Matt LaFleur

Offensive Coordinator 

Nathan Hackett

Defensive Coordinator 

Mike Pettine

Key Acquisitions 

S Adrian Amos

LB Preston Smith

LB Za’darius Smith

Key Losses

DL Mike Daniels

LB Nick Perry

LB Clay Matthews

WR Randall Cobb

Key Draft Picks

DL Rashan Gary

S Darnell Savage Jr.

G/C Elgton Jenkins

The Packers got some quality players in free agency and had a good draft, so this will be a tough opponent. Green Bay sits atop of the NFC North with a record of 7-2 and they just took a beating from the Chargers last Sunday, so they will be gunning for the Panthers.

Carolina Panthers

Head Coach

Ron Rivera

Offensive Coordinator

Norv Turner

Defensive Coordinator

Eric Washington

Key Acquisitions

C Matt Paradis

LB Bruce Irvin

CB Javien Elliott

WR Chris Hogan

DT Gerald McCoy

S Tre Boston

Key Losses

LB Thomas Davis

C Ryan Kalil

DE Julius Peppers

Key Draft Picks

DE Brian Burns

OT Greg Little

OT Dennis Daley

It looked as though Kyle Allen was going to let the 49er game affect him, as he was struggling in the first half. Then he settled down and started making good throws. Dennis Daley is becoming an absolute stud at left tackle, which is great considering Greg Little is still in the concussion protocol. Christian McCaffrey and the Carolina defense continue their dominance.

2019 Team Stats

Panthers

Packers
22nd– 339.8 yds/gm
Total Offense
17th– 352.4 yds/gm
25th- 206.9 yds/gm
Pass Offense
12th– 257.1 yds/gm
6th– 132.9 yds/gm
Rush Offense
22nd– 95.3 yds/gm
10th– 26.1 ppg
Scoring Offense
13th– 25.1 ppg
19th– 360.4 yds/gm
Total Defense
27th– 382.9 yds/gm
9th– 227.0 yds/gm
Pass Defense
21st– 255.2 yds/gm
26th– 133.4 yds/gm
Rush Defense
24th– 127.7 yds/gm
21st– 25.5 ppg
Points Allowed
11th– 21.0 ppg

 

Things to Watch

Carolina

Kyle Allen started off a bit shaky, but he brushed it off and played well. He made some good throws on Sunday and looked more comfortable in the pocket. Green Bay’s defense isn’t nearly as good as Tennessee’s, but it’ll still be a test to keep pace with Aaron Rodgers. The offensive line improved from the 49er game, as Trai Turner and Dennis Daley were healthier this week. Daley has been an absolute steal in the draft and it seems like Carolina finally has depth on the offensive line. The game plan will likely be run heavy, but Allen will have to make some key throws on third down, which he should be able to do as long as he gets protection. Green Bay’s pass rush can be problematic. However, the Packers have trouble in man coverage, so Carolina will look to exploit it.

Christian McCaffrey continued to carry the offense on his back, as he had 166 total yards and 3 touchdowns. It will be run heavy again, as the Green Bay run defense has struggled almost as bad as Carolina’s. The Chargers ran for 159 yards on the Packers last week, so McCaffrey should have another big day. Carolina needs to play ahead, so McCaffrey and company would like to strike early. The best running back in the game should dominate this Green Bay defense that ranks 24th in the league against the run. The Packers are also at the bottom of the league in plays of 40 or more yards allowed, and Carolina leads the league in plays of 50 or more yards gained. So, this is a nice matchup for the Panthers. Don’t worry about CMC in the cold. He’s from Colorado and he’s played a lot of cold weather games. His dad, Ed McCaffrey wouldn’t let him wear sleeves in those games.

The Carolina receivers used Steve Smith’s criticism as motivation and absolutely dominated Sunday. Both Moore and Samuel ran good routes and made jaw dropping catches and runs after catch. Look for the receivers to build on their performance from last Sunday against a Green Bay defense that ranks 21st against the pass. Although, it remains to be seen how much passing will actually go on in the weather conditions of Green Bay. Look for Allen to use Olsen more, as the Packers have had problems covering tight ends the last 3 weeks (TE’s combined for 18 catches, 273 yards and 3 touchdowns).

Carolina added Donte Moncrief to the wide receiver room this week, and while he has had some issues this year with drops, the hope is that reuniting him with former receiver’s coach Jim Hostler will help. Hostler was Moncrief’s coach in Indianapolis when Moncrief had his best year as a pro, as he had 64 catches for 733 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2015. Let’s remember that Ted Ginn Jr. came to Carolina after having 2 catches for 1 yard the previous year for the 49ers and he came in and had three of his best years in the league for the Panthers in a four year period.

The Carolina defense is going to have their hands full with Aaron Jones and Aaron Rodgers. The game will likely be a heavy dose of running and defensive pressure. The Panthers defense is still pretty bad at stopping the run, as they are 26th in the league. On Wednesday, Carolina added Wes Horton, who should help immediately in stopping the run. Brian Burns played the most snaps of any defensive end/linebacker due to Mario Addison not playing, but he was still favoring his injured wrist at times. Addison will play this week, so that will elevate the defensive effort against Green Bay. In order to have a shot against the Packers, Carolina needs to pressure Rodgers early and often. Carolina also needs to contain Aaron Jones, which will be a task. Hopefully, James Bradberry will be good to go on Sunday because they’re going to need him to cover Devante Adams. Look for a lot of disguised blitzes and coverages to try and confuse Rodgers. One thing is for sure, the Packers will be throwing everything they have at Carolina this Sunday, especially after getting beat down by the Chargers last week.

Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers had an uncharacteristically bad game last Sunday against the Chargers, as he only threw for 161 yards and 1 touchdown. He’d like to have a bounce back game this week against the Panthers, but it could be a tough test. Rodgers got Devante Adams back last week, so he will be giving the Panthers his best. His offensive tackles are two of the best in the league, although they struggled last week. They’ll look to bounce back on Sunday.

Aaron Jones might be 16th in rushing yards, but he can be a real problem for defenses. He’s a shifty, young running back who can run between the tackles. Jones is also used a lot in the passing game, which could give the Panthers problems. Carolina’s run defense is near the bottom of the league, so Jones could have a really big day. The Packers also have another dynamic running back in Jamaal Williams, who will likely split carries with Jones to give him a break. If Carolina wants to win this game, they’re going to need to stop these two backs. Look for Green Bay to use a lot of misdirection plays, as this seems to be the way to confuse the Panthers.

The Packers got Devante Adams back last week, but he wasn’t at 100%. Adams will be ready to go after last week’s embarrassment. Green Bay has some nice role players behind Adams, but this is probably Rodgers’ worst receiving corps of his career. Marquez Valdes-Scantling has a lot of potential, but he is only averaging 2.4 catches per game. If the Packers get the opportunity, look for them to try and beat the Panthers deep. There have been a dozen plays this year where a receiver has gotten behind the Panther secondary, but the throw was off target. Rodgers is rarely off target on those balls, so they will take some shots.

Green Bay’s defense isn’t as good as San Francisco or Tennessee, as they are 26th in the league. However, their pass rush shouldn’t be overlooked. Za’darius Smith and Preston Smith both have over 8 sacks each, so Allen will be pressured on Sunday. The Packers are top five in getting pressure on the quarterback without blitzing. The Packers run a lot of dime and nickel formations, but they have trouble stopping the run, so McCaffrey should do well against them.

Keys to a Carolina Victory

• Run the ball early and often.

• Pressure Rodgers, but don’t let him out of the pocket.

• Protect the ball.

• Contain Aaron Jones.

• Maintain gap discipline on defense.

• Involve Greg Olsen. Packers have had trouble stopping the tight ends in recent weeks.

• Utilize McCaffrey and Bonnafon (when needed) in the passing game.

• Contain the Smiths. While they have a combined 16.5 sacks, the rest of the team only has 5.5 combined. So if Carolina can somehow contain those two players, Allen should have some time in the pocket.

Key Matchups

• McCaffrey VS Packers defensive line

• Olsen VS Packers linebackers

• Samuel/Moore VS Packers secondary

• Carolina’s pass rush VS Rodgers

• Aaron Jones VS Carolina’s defensive line

• Carolina offensive line VS Green Bay’s defensive line

Injury Report

Carolina

Greg Little OUT

Vernon Butler QUESTIONABLE

James Bradberry QUESTIONABLE

Green Bay

Jaire Alexander QUESTIONABLE

Adrian Amos QUESTIONABLE

Both teams come into Sunday relatively healthy. Hopefully James Bradberry can play, as he is needed to try and contain Devante Adams.

Prediction

If Carolina wants to make a playoff run, this is a game they need to win. The back half of the schedule is going to be tough, with Seattle, Green Bay, Indianapolis and the Saints (twice) ahead. All things considered, the Panthers will likely need at least 11 wins to make the playoffs, so this is an important game. It’s also a game that they can win. It will be a hard fought battle, but Carolina will come away victorious, with a score of 28-24. Christian McCaffrey will have 195 total yards and 2 total touchdowns. Greg Olsen will contribute 75 yards and a touchdown as well. The Panthers’ defense will sack Aaron Rodgers, behind a struggling offensive line, 6 times. #KeepPounding

 

A Look Ahead: Titans

Game Breakdowns, Prime Cuts with Norris

Titans
At
Panthers
Game Time: 1:00

Ouch! That one didn’t feel good, did it Panther Nation? The 49ers are NOT who I thought they were. Then again, neither was the Carolina defense. They played so bad in so many different ways. I really thought this would be a defensive game and we’d come out on top, but nothing went right. The most concerning thing was, Carolina had two weeks to prepare. This one hurts. However, we can’t hurt too long. We have the Titans coming to Bank of America Stadium on Sunday. So, here’s a look ahead to the Tennessee Titans:

Tennessee Titans

Head Coach

Mike Vrabel

Offensive Coordinator 

Arthur Smith

Defensive Coordinator 

Dean Pees

Key Acquisitions 

WR Adam Humphries

S Kenny Vaccaro

OLB Cameron Wake

QB Ryan Tannehill (via trade)

Key Losses

S Johnathan Cyprien

Key Draft Picks

DL Jeffrey Simmons

WR AJ Brown

S Amani Hooker

The Titans might have a .500 record, but don’t let that fool you. Their defense has played well this year, and Ryan Tannehill became the starter and has played well the last two weeks. The offense hasn’t been great, but they have really improved with Ryan Tannehill at quarterback. They also have a good running back in Derrick Henry. If Carolina doesn’t learn how to play the run, Henry could have a field day.

Carolina Panthers

Head Coach

Ron Rivera

Offensive Coordinator

Norv Turner

Defensive Coordinator

Eric Washington

Key Acquisitions

C Matt Paradis

LB Bruce Irvin

CB Javien Elliott

WR Chris Hogan

DT Gerald McCoy

S Tre Boston

Key Losses

DL Kawann Short (IR)

QB Cam Newton (Foot)

OL Greg Little (Concussion Protocol)

WR Chris Hogan (IR)

LB Thomas Davis

C Ryan Kalil

DE Julius Peppers

Key Draft Picks

DE Brian Burns

OT Greg Little

OT Dennis Daley

No one played well last Sunday. The entire team collapsed, including the coaches. Carolina got outplayed and out coached. The wide receivers ran lazy routes and lacked effort, the defense fell for the misdirections by the offense, Kyle Allen played his worst game as a pro, Norv Turner called predictable plays and Ron Rivera didn’t make enough defensive adjustments. Not taking anything away from San Francisco, because they are a really good team. The Panthers need to use this as motivation to whoop some Titan tail Sunday.

2019 Team Stats

Panthers

Titans
23rd- 335.4 yds/gm
Total Offense
27th- 299.0 yds/gm
25th- 205.9 yds/gm
Pass Offense
28th- 200.8 yds/gm
10th- 129.6 yds/gm
Rush Offense
20th- 98.3 yds/gm
13th- 25.6 ppg
Scoring Offense
26th– 18.5 yds/gm
17th– 350.3 yds/gm
Total Defense
9th– 335.6 yds/gm
5th– 215.1 yds/gm
Pass Defense
16th– 239.1 yds/gm
27th– 135.1 yds/gm
Rush Defense
12th– 96.5 yds/gm
24th– 26.3 ppg
Points Allowed
4th– 16.9 ppg

Things to Watch

Carolina

Kyle Allen gets the start once again, which shouldn’t shock anyone, as Cam Newton continues to rehab his foot injury. Carolina could’ve used Cam’s scrambling ability on Sunday, as the 49ers defense had Allen running for his life. However, Cam Newton wouldn’t have been able to win the game Sunday, because the entire team played bad. Kyle Allen made a lot of bad decisions and made some bad passes, but this loss wasn’t all his fault. Allen has a pretty short memory, so he likely won’t let last week’s loss affect him. Allen will likely utilize the short, quick passes and get the ball out quick. Dennis Daley struggled in pass protection, as did Trai Turner, as they were both playing hurt. Daley and the Panthers offensive line need to give Allen at least 3 seconds to throw the ball on Sunday. Hopefully, Allen studied a lot of film this week, as this Tennessee defense is deceptively good.

Christian McCaffrey was pretty much the only bright spot in the offense Sunday. McCaffrey showed why he is becoming the new face of the franchise. Look for him to, again, be used early and often. Something that Carolina couldn’t do last week is get going on the ground early. McCaffrey played in only 78% of the snaps Sunday, which was his lowest of the season. This Sunday, CMC will probably play 95-100% of the snaps and relied upon heavily. Tennessee has a pretty good defensive line, but McCaffrey should have success.

The Carolina receivers struggled mightily on Sunday. It was almost like they were still on vacation. Moore, Samuel and Wright need to give more effort and run better routes. They need to get separation, which they struggled with Sunday. Former Panther, Steve Smith, called the Carolina receivers out on Sunday. Look for Moore, Samuel and Wright to have a little more dog in them this weekend.

The Carolina defense continues to struggle against the run. Their gap discipline seems to be getting worse each week. The amount of mistakes made by this defense was embarrassing. Allen and the offense didn’t make things better with the turnovers, either. On Allen’s three turnovers, the 49ers were already in field goal range when they took over. Carolina will need to get to Tannehill consistently to throw him off of his game. The Titans offensive line hasn’t played particularly well this year, so the Panthers should have success in getting pressure. Carolina still leads the NFL in sacks per game, at 4.3. Luke and the defense will use last weeks game as motivation, so Tennessee better watch out. Also, look for Carolina to integrate Brian Burns into the lineup more, as he continues to work his way back from a wrist injury.

Tennessee Titans 

In the last two weeks, Ryan Tannehill has looked like the quarterback that Miami wanted him to be. He has 505 yards and 5 touchdowns in two weeks, and the Titans have won both games. He throws receivers open, makes good decisions, gets the ball out quick and makes accurate passes. The Titan’s offensive line is a little banged up, and rookie guard, Nate Davis, has struggled at times. Tennessee could have problems with the Carolina pass rush.

Derrick Henry has been less than stellar this year, but could be in line for a big day against Carolina. If Carolina can’t get more disciplined, Henry could have a hole or two from which to choose, on every run. The Titans could take a page out of the 49ers play book and use a lot of misdirection and screen passes to confuse the Carolina defense. The thing that has worked against Henry all year is, the horrendous play of the Tennessee offensive line.

The Titans don’t have any world beaters (thanks, Bruce Irvin) at receiver, but they are all very quick. Former Buc, Adam Humphries, killed Carolina last year and the Titans could use his skill set to beat them again. Corey Davis has had some success this year, as has Tajae Sharpe. They aren’t on pace for a lot of yards, but they also had a struggling Mariota at quarterback until two weeks ago. The Titans will try to use Carolina’s aggressive defensive scheme against them and use a lot of quick passes and screens. Tennessee also uses a lot of three tight end sets, led by Jonnu Smith, to keep the defense guessing. Smith has solidified himself as a solid target in Delanie Walker’s absence.

Tennessee’s defense is ranked ninth in the league, as they only allow 335.6 yards per game. Carolina’s offense averages the same amount of yards per game, which ranks a measly 23rd in the league. This defense has played well this year, and it seems like they’re getting better each week. Tennessee’s defense has only allowed their opponents to score points in 26.8% of their drives, which is 4th best in the league. The defense is like the 49ers, as they disguise and move players around right before the snap. They’re also multiple with their front looks, use multiple coverage concepts and blitz often. This is a stingy defense, and Carolina will have their work cut out for them.

Keys to a Carolina Victory

• Protect Allen

• Run the ball early and often

• Pressure Tannehill

• Protect the ball

• Contain Derrick Henry

• Maintain gap discipline on defense

Key Matchups

• McCaffrey VS Titans’ defensive line

• Olsen VS Titan’s linebackers

• Samuel/Moore VS Titan’s secondary

• Carolina’s pass rush VS Tannehill

• Derrick Henry VS Carolina’s defensive line

• James Bradberry VS Corey Davis

• Carolina offensive line VS Tennessee defensive line

Injury Report

Carolina

DE/OLB Mario Addison OUT (Death in family)

OT Greg Little OUT

QB Cam Newton OUT

WR Curtis Samuel QUESTIONABLE (Expected to play)

DE/OLB Christian Miller QUESTIONABLE

Tennessee

DL Jurrell Casey OUT

C Ben Jones OUT

TE Delanie Walker OUT

RT Jack Conklin QUESTIONABLE

Tennessee comes into the game with some injuries to key players. Jurrell Casey is a huge loss on the defensive line. They have potentially two offensive linemen out this week, as well as their star tight end. Carolina comes home pretty healthy as it’s just Cam and Greg Little who are injured. Mario Addison will be out due to his brother’s untimely death. We are all praying for comfort for you and your family, Mario.

Prediction

“It’s not whether you get knocked down. It’s whether you get back up.” -Vince Lombardi

Allen didn’t perform well when he faced adversity, so the Panthers would like to start fast and maintain their lead. The Tennessee defense is going to be tough to navigate through, but as long as the Carolina offensive line plays well, Allen should play well. In a clean pocket, Allen has completed 71.8% of his passes. When pressured, he has only completed 27.3% of his passes. That said, Allen will brush off the loss and the defense will pressure Tannehill consistently on Sunday. Carolina will sack Tannehill eight times and intercept him once, as Carolina wins the game at home, 30-17. #RevengeGame #4MR #KeepPounding

 

A Look Ahead: 49ers

Game Breakdowns, Prime Cuts with Norris

Panthers
VS
49ers
Game Time: 4:05

Who else is glad that the bye week is over? That was a brutal week without Panther football. It’s time for Carolina to march into San Francisco to play the undefeated 49ers. Kyle Allen looks to extend his winning streak to 6-0 for his career. Will he be able to withstand the Niners stout defense? Here’s a look ahead to the 49ers:

San Francisco 49ers

Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator

Kyle Shanahan

Defensive Coordinator 

Robert Saleh

Key Acquisitions 

DE Dee Ford (via trade)

LB Kwon Alexander

RB Tevin Coleman

WR Emmanuel Sanders (via trade)

Key Losses

CB Jason Varrett (IR)

WR Pierre Garçon

Key Draft Picks

DE Nick Bosa

WR Deebo Samuel

San Francisco has remained unbeaten through the first seven weeks, although they barely beat Washington last week. Granted, they played in really sloppy conditions. Their defense, led by Dee Ford and rookie, Nick Bosa, has dominated teams, as they only allow an average of 10.7 points per game. This defense will be a test for the Panthers, as this will be the hardest defense they’ve faced all season. Carolina will utilize McCaffrey in both the running game and passing game and try to keep the Niners defense guessing.

Carolina Panthers

Head Coach

Ron Rivera

Offensive Coordinator

Norv Turner

Defensive Coordinator

Eric Washington

Key Acquisitions

C Matt Paradis

LB Bruce Irvin

CB Javien Elliott

WR Chris Hogan

DT Gerald McCoy

S Tre Boston

Key Losses

WR Chris Hogan (IR with designation to return)

DL Kawann Short (IR)

QB Cam Newton (Foot injury)

LB Thomas Davis

C Ryan Kalil

DE Julius Peppers

Key Draft Picks

DE Brian Burns

OT Greg Little

OT Dennis Daley

2019 Team Stats

Panthers

49ers
20th– 353.0 yds/gm
Total Offense
7th– 387.2 yds/gm
22nd– 223.5 yds/gm
Pass Offense
25th– 214.5 yds/gm
9th– 129.5 yds/gm
Rush Offense
2nd– 172.7 yds/gm
5th– 27.7 yds/gm
Scoring Offense
11th– 26.0 yds/gm
12th– 344.0 yds/gm
Total Defense
2nd– 223.5 yds/gm
7th– 225.0 yds/gm
Pass Defense
1st– 133.5 yds/gm
23rd– 119.0 yds/gm
Rush Defense
8th– 90.0 yds/gm
15th– 22.2 ppg
Points Allowed
2nd– 10.7 ppg

Things to Watch

Carolina Panthers

Ok, Kyle….We see you. This was Allen’s first game with no fumbles and he was looking more comfortable in the pocket. He still has some work to do, but he’s still a young quarterback making the most out of his opportunity. Allen is doing exactly what Carolina was hoping he’d do if Cam got hurt. The 49ers will be a huge test for Allen, who was named the starter on Monday since Cam Newton hasn’t started practicing yet (As Expected). San Francisco has one of the best defenses in the league right now. Make no mistake about it, their defense will be gunning for Allen. Hopefully the offensive line will continue to give him the time he needs to hit his open targets. Norv Turner will likely call a lot of quick passes and three step drops against this defense. He will probably enlist the help of Olsen and Manhertz for blocking as well.

Last week Christian McCaffrey was shut down on the ground, but that didn’t stop him from scoring twice. He will once again be a key part of this offense Sunday, as the 49ers allow an average of 90 yards rushing per game. The 49ers haven’t played a running back of McCaffrey’s caliber yet and it will be interesting to see how they handle him. Especially with this Panthers defense playing as well as they are. If this defensive unit continues its play and gives Allen and McCaffrey good field position, look for McCaffrey to handle the load and be productive. The 49ers seem to play with high pad levels, so McCaffrey should be able to have some success on the ground.

In London, DJ Moore, Curtis Samuel and Greg Olsen all had fairly productive games. Allen may have a little more trouble against this stout defense, but these three receivers plus McCaffrey will be his main targets when he throws. It’s likely that Moore will run a lot of shorter routes, since San Francisco will be pressuring Allen. Plus, he can get a lot of yards after the catch. McCaffrey will be getting a lot of work in the passing game as well. Also, look for Ian Thomas to be involved in more snaps this Sunday. Rivera said that the absence of Thomas was due to his injury putting him behind. Rumors have it, that the staff haven’t liked what they’ve seen in his blocking. Coach Rivera started in a press conference that Thomas has improved and has earned more reps.

Carolina’s defense has been playing at a high level for the past 4 games and looks to keep it going against San Francisco. The Carolina defense is second in the league in quarterback hits, with 50 (NE is first with 51), but Carolina has played one less game than the rest of the top six. That’s something that the Panthers need to continue against San Francisco, as Jimmy Garoppolo seems to struggle when being pressured. Garoppolo has thrown 6 interceptions, has been sacked 8 times and fumbled 5 times. In order for Carolina to win this game, the defense needs to cause Jimmy G to make some mistakes and cause some turnovers. The formula Carolina has used in the past four games is to dominate on defense and give Allen great field position.

Carolina also needs to limit San Francisco’s run game, as they are second in the league in rushing yards per game (172.7 per game). Carolina has struggled to stop the run this year, but hopefully they will learn to stop the run on the way to the quarterback. Carolina leads the league in sacks with 28 (in one less game than the top six) and they’re second in takeaways with 15. While both of San Francisco’s offensive tackles will likely be out again this week, the players filling in (Justin Skule and Daniel Brunskill) have done well. However, they haven’t played a defense like Carolina so far. Hopefully, Carolina has another 7 sack and 7 takeaway game and beat the Niners.

San Francisco 49ers

Jimmy Garoppolo is finally healthy for the 49ers and has the team undefeated through the first six games. He isn’t carrying the team, but he’s being a game manager. Much like Carolina, Garoppolo’s defense puts him and the offense in position to win. Having a good running game helps, but Garoppolo makes the necessary throws when he needs to. If he wants to take his team to 7-0, he will need to limit his mistakes against this opportunistic Carolina defense. While both offensive tackles have been out for consecutive weeks, the backups have played pretty well in their absence. They will have a test on Sunday, as they haven’t played a defense as dominant as Carolina.

San Francisco has a solid running back trio in Matt Breida, Tevin Coleman and Raheem Mostert. This will be a test for Carolina’s 23rd ranked rush defense. This is a very dynamic backfield that can be utilized in both the running and passing game. The 49ers rank second in rushing and will look to keep that going this Sunday.

The main target in San Francisco is tight end, George Kittle. Kittle leads the team with 376 receiving yards. The receiving room consists of Marquise Goodwin (181 yards), Deebo Samuel (168 yards), Kendrick Bourne (139 yards) and Richie James (108 yards). However, there’s a new guy in town, as the 49ers have traded for Emmanuel Sanders this week. Sanders will give the team a proven target that is sure to enhance the offense, if Garoppolo has time to throw. With any luck, Carolina will put more pressure on Garoppolo than he is used to.

The 49er defense is stout. They have five first rounders on the defensive line and they are playing lights out. This will be a tough test for Kyle Allen and the Panthers’ offensive line. The defense has 20 sacks and 35 quarterback pressures. Look for the defense to blitz at a higher rate to get Allen to make mistakes. The secondary of San Francisco is also one of the best in the league, but their pass rush is one of the main reasons they’ve been successful.

Keys to a Carolina Victory

• Run McCaffrey early and often (as always). The 49ers rank 8th in rush defense, so he will have his work cut out for him. CMC is a volume runner, which means the more you give it to him, the better he gets.

• Protect Kyle Allen. The line needs to give Allen time to find his target. The San Francisco defensive line will be coming for him.

• Moore and company need to get separation. Continue to mix things up with Samuel in the run game.

• Pressure Garoppolo. He makes mistakes when he’s pressured and doesn’t like to leave the pocket. He rarely extends plays with his legs. Pressuring him will shake his confidence.

• Bradberry and the Panthers defense need to continue their solid play, as the 49ers are stacked with speedy receivers. The (likely) return of Donte Jackson will help with that.

• Defense needs to cause several turnovers to give Allen less field to work with. Playing against a stacked defense could make it hard on Allen and the offense, but good field position will make things easier.

• Protect the ball! If the 49ers defense sacks Allen, he needs to hold onto the ball. He did that last week, so hopefully he continues to get better.

Key Matchups

• Christian McCaffrey VS 49ers Defensive Line

• DJ Moore/Curtis Samuel VS Richard Sherman/Ahkello Witherspoon

• Emmanuel Sanders/Marquise Goodwin VS James Bradberry

• Greg Olsen VS Kwon Alexander

• George Kittle VS Luke Kuechly

• 49ers Running Back Trio VS Carolina Defensive Line

Injury Report

Carolina Panthers

Carolina should get Trai Turner and Donte Jackson back this week and it comes at a good time. Allen will need all the protection he can get in this game. Cam is still out this week, but he has been practicing on the side with trainers, as he continues the rehab process. Greg Little is still in concussion protocol, but is progressing nicely. The team will be bringing him along slowly since this is his second concussion this year. The emergence of sixth round pick, Dennis Daley, has eased the effects of losing the second round tackle.

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers will be without their starting right tackle, Mike McGlinchey, and Full Back Kyle Juszczyk. They will likely be without their starting left tackle, Joe Staley, again also. The backup tackles have played well in Staley and McGlinchey’s absence, but Carolina’s defense is unlike any they’ve faced.

Prediction

This will be a tough match against an undefeated team, but in reality, the 49ers haven’t played anyone with a winning record. So, this will be a huge test for them, too. Essentially, these two teams are almost mirrored from each other. Dominating defense, good running game, game manager quarterback and solid offensive line. This will be a defensive battle (obviously) and will likely be a somewhat low scoring game. Carolina is currently averaging 27.7 points per game, but San Francisco is allowing 10.7 points per game. Norv Turner having two weeks to prepare makes a difference, as Carolina wins on the road, 24-17. Led by Christian McCaffrey and a great defensive effort, San Francisco is no longer unbeaten. #KeepPounding

A Look Ahead: Bucs

Game Breakdowns, Prime Cuts with Norris


Panthers

VS

Buccaneers

Game Time: 9:30 AM

Welcome to the Christian McCaffrey Show. He’s the best running back in the league right now, if not the best overall player. With Allen in at quarterback, the offense runs through McCaffrey. What a performance by CMC, as he had 175 yards rushing, 61 yards receiving and 3 total touchdowns. Kyle Allen struggled with pocket presence and ball security once again, but he helped the team just enough to win. Allen is doing his job as a back up, but it will be a nice change when Newton comes back. Either way, both Allen and Newton need the fans’ support. Now, it’s off to London! Here is a look ahead to the Bucs:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Head Coach

Bruce Arians

Offensive Coordinator 

Byron Leftwich

Defensive Coordinator 

Todd Bowles

Key Acquisitions 

DT Ndamukong Suh

LB Shaq Barrett

S Darian Stewart

Key Losses

DT Gerald McCoy

WR DeSean Jackson

DE Vinny Curry

Key Draft Picks

LB Devin White

Tampa comes to London with a record of 2-3, even though they’ve scored more points than anyone in the division. The Bucs have been up and down all year, as has Jameis Winston. One thing that has remained consistent for the Bucs is their run defense. Tampa Bay has only allowed 349 yards on the ground in five games, which is good enough for third in the league. The Bucs are capable of beating the Panthers, which is evident due to this happening in week two. One difference is, an injured Cam Newton was playing quarterback for Carolina. Linebacker, Shaq Barrett, is having a superb season so far, as he has 9 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and 1 interception so far.

Carolina Panthers

Head Coach

Ron Rivera

Offensive Coordinator

Norv Turner

Defensive Coordinator

Eric Washington

Key Acquisitions

C Matt Paradis

LB Bruce Irvin

CB Javien Elliott

WR Chris Hogan

DT Gerald McCoy

S Tre Boston

Key Losses

WR Chris Hogan (IR with designation to return)

DL Kawann Short (IR)

QB Cam Newton (Foot injury)

LB Thomas Davis

C Ryan Kalil

DE Julius Peppers

Key Draft Picks

DE Brian Burns

OT Greg Little

OT Dennis Daley

2019 Team Stats

Panthers

Buccaneers
14th– 370.0 yds/gm
Total Offense
17th– 359.8 yds/gm
23rd– 226.4 yds/gm
Pass Offense
12th– 250.4 yds/gm
4th– 143.6 yds/gm
Rush Offense
19th– 109.4 yds/gm
10th– 25.8 ppg
Scoring Offense
5th– 29.4 ppg
8th– 331.4 yds/gm
Total Defense
26th– 393.4 yds/gm
4th– 197.0 yds/gm
Pass Defense
32nd– 323.6 yds/gm
24th– 134.4 yds/gm
Rush Defense
2nd– 69.8 yds/gm
11th– 21.4 ppg
Points Allowed
29th– 29.6 ppg

Things to Watch

Carolina Panthers

Kyle Allen is doing his job as a backup quarterback, as he isn’t doing anything to lose the games. His fumbling is still an issue, as he had two more last Sunday. He needs to get better pocket presence, but that comes with time. This Sunday, in jolly ole London, Kyle will likely be throwing a lot more. Tampa Bay’s pass defense is ranked dead last, and Carolina would be wise to get Allen going. The offensive line played well last week with Dennis Daley at left tackle, so hopefully they can keep Suh and Barrett at bay and protect Allen.

Christian McCaffrey is having a historic season so far, as he leads the league in all purpose yards and is on pace to smash the record set by Chris Johnson in 2009. Whether or not he can keep it up, is yet to be seen. Look for Carolina to try to get him going early, even though Tampa’s rush defense ranks second in the league, and they only allowed CMC to get 37 yards in their last meeting. Hopefully, he can break a few long runs, as he’s done several times this season, to keep the defense honest. McCaffrey will be used heavily in the passing game due to the Buc’s porous pass defense. Look for Carolina to give Reggie Bonnafon a few carries on the heels of his successful game last week.

DJ Moore is on pace to have 1,100 yards receiving this year, and looks to capitalize on the Buc’s 32nd ranked pass defense. Moore seems to be coming into his own and is showing fans why he was a first round pick. He made a nice leaping catch last week, where he went up and plucked it out of the sky with ease for a 52 yard gain. Curtis Samuel will also get plenty of looks in the Carolina offense this Sunday. He was used in the running game for a couple of plays last week, but was relatively quiet. This was due to Christian McCaffrey’s amazing day. Greg Olsen was held without a catch last week, even though he was open on several plays. He gives Allen a big target in the red zone, and he will be used this Sunday in London.

The Carolina defense had a few hiccups Sunday, as they allowed Gardner Minshew to throw for 375 yards. With Donte Jackson likely returning to the lineup, that will help tremendously in coverage. They will have a huge test again Sunday, as Mike Evans and Chris Godwin will get a lot of looks. This is a revenge game for the team and they’ll be looking to stop Chris Godwin this time around. With Tampa’s right tackle and right guard likely out with injury, Carolina should get good pressure and keep Winston on his back. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention defensive lineman, Efe Obada, who heads back home to London. Expect to see more of him this Sunday, so he can play in front of his home crowd, which should give him more motivation. #Keep£ing

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jameis Winston is having a relatively good season, as he has 1,371 yards, 11 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. That’s good enough for a 97.2 QB Rating. That’s a little misleading, considering that in the last 4 games he hasn’t had less than a 103.4. Winston has developed a rapport with wide receiver Chris Godwin, and it has translated to the field. In week two, Winston had 208 yards and a touchdown against Carolina. Carolina has a very different defense than they did in week two. Look for Winston to struggle against Carolina’s pass rush. Especially on the right side, as both his right guard and right tackle are expected to miss the game.

In the week two battle, Peyton Barber has 82 yards rushing and 1 touchdown. Barber will look to have an even more successful day against a Panthers defense that ranks 24th against the run. If Carolina doesn’t get their run defense in check, Barber could have a field day.

Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are one of the best wide receiver tandems in the league right now. Godwin is having an All Pro season, as he has 511 yards and 6 touchdowns in 5 games. He had 121 yards and a touchdown in the Thursday night debacle. Mike Evans is having a decent season, as he has 368 yards and 4 touchdowns. They’ll look to get going against Carolina Sunday, even though it’ll be tougher than it was in their first meeting.

The Buccaneer defense has been excellent against the run all year. In week two, they held Christian McCaffrey to 37 yards rushing. It’s going to be hard to do that the second time, now that CMC is in the zone. Their pass defense isn’t good, as they rank last in the NFL. They’ll look to hold McCaffrey in check and make Kyle Allen beat them with his arm. Shaq Barrett is playing out of his mind this year. Carolina will have their hands full once again Sunday, although their offensive line seems to be getting better each week, no matter who’s playing. Dennis Daley stepped in at left tackle and played well.

Keys to a Carolina Victory

• Scheme ways to get McCaffrey the ball. The offense runs through CMC and he will be needed on Sunday. Get him the ball early and often.

• Protect Kyle Allen. Sixth round pick, Dennis Daley, stepped in and played well at left tackle while Greg Little is injured. Hopefully, Allen can become a little more comfortable and learn to step into the pocket.

• Protect the ball. No matter who it is, hold that ball tight. No fumbles this week.

• Rush the passer. Carolina needs to get pressure on Winston while not letting him get out of the pocket. Winston is dangerous when scrambling.

• Contain Peyton Barber. Carolina needs to learn how to stop the run.

• Get Greg Olsen going against this porous Bucs’ defense.

Key Matchups

• Donte Jackson VS Chris Godwin

• James Bradberry VS Mike Evans

• Panthers’ Defense VS Buc’s banged up Offensive Line

• Christian McCaffrey VS Buc’s Defense

Injury Report

Both teams come into this game with key injuries, but perhaps the worst injuries are to the Buccaneers offensive line. They’re not as prepared for offensive line injuries as the Panthers are (sounds weird for Carolina to have offensive line depth). Carolina gets Donte Jackson back, and it comes at a good time. Hopefully, Shaq Thompson and Eric Reid are ready to go Sunday. All signs point to them playing.

Prediction

Coach Rivera said that he’s keeping the schedule as normal as possible for Friday and Saturday, so the players can have some continuity in their routine. This will prove to be beneficial, as the players will be well rested and ready to go. This will be a tough game for both teams, but Carolina will find success through the air. Carolina wins on the road, yet again, 27-24. Carolina goes into the bye week with a record of 4-2. #Keep£ing

 

A Look Ahead: Bucs

Game Breakdowns, Prime Cuts with Norris

Panthers

VS

Bucs

Game time: 8:20
Game time temperature: 84

Week one didn’t go as planned, but that’s in the past. Some fans have their hands poised on the panic button, but please relax. It’s week two and Carolina has a fairly favorable schedule for the next two weeks, as they play Tampa Bay in week two and Arizona in week three. Here’s a look ahead to the Buccaneers:

Tampa Bay Bucs

Head Coach

Bruce Arians

Offensive Coordinator 

Byron Leftwich

Defensive Coordinator 

Todd Bowles

Key Acquisitions 

DT Ndamukong Suh

LB Shaq Barrett

S Darian Stewart

Key Losses

WR Desean Jackson

DT Gerald McCoy

DE Vinny Curry

Key Draft Picks

LB Devin White

The Bucs didn’t have a whole lot of major turnaround this offseason, which is surprising considering they went 5-11 in 2018. On offense, they traded their deep threat, Desean Jackson, so they aren’t as explosive. The Bucs defense was near the bottom of the league last year in every category, and seems to have only gotten worse. Jameis Winston threw three interceptions in week one, and also fumbled twice. He looks to improve his play in week two against Carolina. Bucs’ running back Ronald Jones finally looked like the player they thought he’d be, as he gained 75 yards on 13 carries (5.8 AVG YPC).

Carolina Panthers

Head Coach

Ron Rivera

Offensive Coordinator

Norv Turner

Defensive Coordinator

Eric Washington

Key Acquisitions

C Matt Paradis

LB Bruce Irvin

CB Javien Elliott

WR Chris Hogan

DT Gerald McCoy

S Tre Boston

Key Losses

LB Thomas Davis

C Ryan Kalil

DE Julius Peppers

Key Draft Picks

DE Brian Burns

OT Greg Little

RB Jordan Scarlett

Although Carolina didn’t start fast and win week one, there was a lot to like about their performance. There was also a lot to work on. Cam was a little more limited in the running game than fans hoped, due to the coaches wanting to make sure his foot is healed completely. Cam’s throws looked sharp and accurate at the beginning of the game, but it got worse as it went on. He completed 80% of passes 1-10, 70% of passes 11-20, 60% of passes 21-30 and 50% on his last eight passes. This is the product of shoulder surgery and not getting a lot of reps in the preseason. However, it’s still something to watch moving forward. The Carolina defense looked promising at times, too. They will only get better. The emergence of James Bradberry and Shaq Thompson was nice to see.

2018 Team Stat Rankings

Bucs

Panthers
3rd- 6,648 yds
Total Offense
10th- 5,972 yds
1st- 5,125 yds
Passing Offense
16th- 3,836 yds
29th- 1,523 yds
Rushing Offense
4th- 2,136 yds
12th- 24.8 ppg
Scoring Offense
15th- 23.5 ppg
27th- 6,134 yds
Total Defense
15th- 5,651 yds
26th- 4,151 yds
Passing Defense
18th- 3,847 yds
24th- 1,983 yds
Rushing Defense
12th- 1,804 yds
31st- 29.0 ppg
Points Allowed
19th- 23.9 ppg

 

2019 Team Rankings

Bucs

Panthers
25th- 295 yds
Total Offense
22nd- 343 yds
26th- 174 yds
Passing Offense
22nd- 216 yds
13th- 121 yds
Rushing Offense
9th- 127 yds
24th- 17.0 ppg
Scoring Offense
16th- 27.0 ppg
6th- 256 yds
Total Defense
15th- 349 yds
3rd- 158 yds
Passing Defense
9th- 183 yds
14th- 98 yds
Rushing Defense
28th- 166 yds
26th- 31.0 ppg
Points Allowed
24th- 30.0 ppg

Against the Rams, Cam looked sharp at times, but as the game went on, his arm appeared to become more fatigued. This will get better with more reps. He should play well against Tampa. McCaffrey picked up where he left off in 2018 and had 128 rushing yards and 81 yards receiving. Carolina needs to pound the ball early and often to wear out Tampa’s defense.

Jameis Winston needs to protect the ball if he wants to pull off the upset. Winston has talent and potential, so he will be the focus for the Carolina defense. Ronald Jones and Peyton Barber will be heavily used on Thursday. Receiver, Mike Evans, had an off day in week one, he will look to improve.

Things to Watch

Carolina

In 2018, Cam had the second best completion percentage when using playaction. Carolina didn’t use it too much against the Rams, but they should use it more often. The offensive line protected Cam fairly well on Sunday, and they should only get better. Look for Cam to throw a couple of downfield passes to shut the critics up. The shorter passes were game-planned against the Rams so that Aaron Donald didn’t have time to get to him. Newton will likely run more too, since his foot injury is getting fully healed. The Bucs defense ranked 3rd against the pass, as they allowed only 158 yards through the air. Granted, they played the San Francisco 49ers. Newton should dominate, if all goes according to plan. Against LA, they only converted five of eleven on third down, so if Carolina wants to win, they’ll have to do better. In Cam’s career against Tampa, he has a quarterback rating of 92.8. He’s also scored 29 touchdowns against the Bucs, which is his lost against any opponent.

Christian McCaffrey will build on his week one performance. He will likely get 18-23 carries and will continue to be utilized in the passing game. Hopefully, Carolina will have a commanding lead, and fans get to see Jordan Scarlett in real action. The Bucs allowed 98 yards on the ground in week one, which was ranked 14th in the league. The Carolina running backs should have a pretty good day.

DJ Moore had a good day against the Rams Sunday, except for the fumble. While the fumbles are concerning, let’s not forget another dynamic wide receiver who fumbled a lot in his first two seasons. Steve Smith fumbled eighteen times in his first two seasons, as a receiver and returner. Not saying that Moore is the next Smitty, but people need to stop panicking about the fumbles. Carolina has a lot of speed at receiver, so they will look to punish Tampa’s secondary. Having Greg Olsen healthy again is a plus too. With Tampa’s lack of pass rush and iffy secondary, Carolina should flourish in the passing game.

Carolina’s defense wasn’t able to contain the ground game on Sunday, which is something that will need to be corrected this week. It will help that Carolina faces Peyton Barber and Ronald Jones. The Panthers did a sufficient job keeping Goff at bay. The Carolina defense will look to feast on Bucs’ quarterback, Jameis Winston, who threw three interceptions last week. If Carolina wants to win this game, they need to pressure Winston more than they did Goff. With Irvin out, look for Brian Burns to get even more playing time.

Tampa Bay 

Last season, the Bucs had a good offense mainly due to quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and deep threat, Desean Jackson. Winston played 11 games last season, and threw 19 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Winston started his 2019 campaign off bad, and will look to improve this week against Carolina. Carolina’s defense is ninth against the pass so far this season, but their pass rush was not as dominating as they had hoped. If Carolina can’t get to Winston, he will be more effective.

Ronald Jones had one of his best games last week, and will look to keep it going against Carolina. Last week, Todd Gurley had a pretty good day on the ground, as he had 14 carries for 97 yards. Bucs coach, Bruce Arians, will look to capitalize on the Panthers’ bad rush defense. Hopefully, Carolina will get better against the run this week.

Last week, Mike Evans was contained by San Francisco, and he would like to get more involved this week. Carolina corner, James Bradberry, usually shuts Evans down or limits him in every game. Last week, Chris Godwin, was Winston’s number one target. Godwin is a player to watch in this matchup, so look for Donte Jackson to cover Godwin quite a bit.

Tampa’s defense only had five total pressures against the 49ers, and will look to get to Newton more. Tampa’s secondary looked lost at times last week, but they do have some playmakers. Devin White and Lavonte David are talented, speedy linebackers who are capable of making plays against the pass and rush. It’s going to be a hard, uphill battle for this defense, and they just don’t appear up for the job.

Keys to a Carolina Victory

Run the ball early and often.

Pressure Winston.

Secure the ball.

Key Matchups

McCaffrey VS Bucs’ defensive line

Olsen/Thomas VS Bucs’ linebackers

Samuel/Moore VS Bucs’ secondary

Carolina’s pass rush VS Winston

Ronald Jones VS Carolina defense

Injury Report

Carolina

Bruce Irvin OUT (Hamstring)

Rashaan Gaulden QUESTIONABLE (Groin)

Greg Olsen QUESTIONABLE (Back)

Tampa Bay

Blaine Gabbert OUT

The Bucs come into this game relatively healthy, as they only have the backup quarterback out this week. The Panthers are still without newly signed linebacker, Bruce Irvin, as he is still dealing with a hamstring injury. Gaulden and Olsen are both questionable, but Olsen said he’s playing. With Irvin out, look for Brian Burns and Marquis Haynes to get extended work. If Olsen can’t go, Ian Thomas will get a lot of work.

Prediction

Even though Tampa beat Carolina in their last meeting, don’t expect it to happen this week. Carolina’s pass rush will get to Winston consistently and pressure him into 2-3 turnovers. The Panthers run defense will tighten up and only allow 75 total yards against the Bucs. The Carolina offense will have success and take this game at home on Thursday night football, 28-13.