Week 6
Panthers at Bucs
Kickoff: 1 p.m.
TV: WTVT Ch. 13, DirecTV 711
Radio: Buccaneers Radio Network (in Tampa WFUS-FM, 103.5 and WDAE-AM, 620); Sirius Channel 129.
Weather: Per AccuWeather.com, good football weather. Highs in the upper 60’s throughout the game with breezy double-digit winds.
Odds: Per Bodog.com, Carolina -3.
Outlook: If the Bucs are going to win a game before the bye, this game is it. Carolina, like the Bucs, has bottomed out. Like the Bucs, the Panthers aren’t getting any blocking. Like the Bucs, the defense stinks. Unlike the Bucs, Carolina was able to beat the Redskins. Simply put, the team who runs the best will win. That’s not a shock but each team wanted to run the ball before the season and neither has. So expect each team to try to impose its will on the opposing defense, neither of which has been solid this year. Also expect the Panthers to bring the kitchen sink in blitzes just like the Eagles last week. The Bucs were clueless in how to handle those blitzes. If they haven’t learned, it may get ugly.
Fun facts: Jake Delhomme and Steve Smith own the Bucs. Delhomme is 8-2 against Tampa Bay and no receiver in the game has a better average for yards per game receiving than Steve Smith does against the Bucs. … The Panthers have lesbians for their cheerleaders.