Week 2
Bucs at Panthers
Kickoff: 1 p.m.
TV: Locally, WTVT-TV Channel 13, DirecTV Channel 710.
Radio: Buccaneers Radio Network (in Tampa WFUS-FM, 103.5 and WDAE-AM, 620); Sirius Channel 158.
Weather: Per AccuWeather.com, it’s still summer in the south. Kickoff for the game will be warm with an expected temperature of 86 under sunny skies. The temperature is expected to rise to 90 by game’s end under humidity in the high 20s to lower 30s. There will be limited if any breeze.
Odds: Per Bodog.com, Panthers -3.5.
Outlook: The Bucs have been Carolina’s red-headed stepchild for too many years. If the Bucs are going to turn their fortunes around, it has to be with a win against the Panthers and it has to come at Carolina. Why not now? Carolina has never been more vulnerable, though still formidable. Quarterback Matt Moore stinks – at least by what he showed last week at New York in the season opener. In addition, he’s trying to recover from a concussion he suffered in that game. If Moore can’t go for some reason, rookie quarterback Jimmy Clausen will be behind center.
The Bucs simply have to get their running backs going. It sounds too simple but this is the key. Carolina’s defensive line is still good, its linebackers are very good and so too is the Panthers running game. But by the Bucs running effectively, it takes the ball out of Josh Freeman’s hands (i.e. no interceptions) and keeps the ball away from the Panthers.
Fun Facts: Carolina running back DeAngelo Williams has rushed for six touchdowns in his past four games against Tampa Bay, while teammate, receiver Steve Smith, has four receiving touchdowns during that same time frame.