Panthers @ Buccaneers
Final Score: Buccaneers 43, Panthers 13
Writer: Matthew Bevins (MattBQBList on Reddit)
Three Up
- Bucky Irving — In a blowout game, still managed to carry the ball 24 times, with 110 all-purpose yards on the day.
- Baker Mayfield — First game back from injury, and he played efficiently but did what needed to be done, finishing the game with a 109 QBR.
- Kenny Gainwell — We have a Gainwell sighting. Eclipsed 10 carries. He became a focal point of the offense in a much-needed bounce-back.
Two Down
- Bryce Young — Took a step back in this game, looking outmatched by the Bucs’ defense.
- Chuba Hubbard — After being anointed the Panthers’ running back of choice, ended the game with less than 70 all-purpose yards.
Carolina Panthers
Quarterback
Bryce Young: 14/27, 163 Yards, 1 TD|2 INT 1 carry, 9 yards
Kenny Pickett: 3/4, 47 yards | 1 carry, 15 yards
Young has had a terrific season so far, putting himself firmly on a top-10 quarterback trajectory, but this game was definitely a speed bump in regard to those expectations. Young was unable to establish a passing game with Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker, finishing the game with a 51.9 QBR. Playing the game coming from behind from the opening drive didn’t do him any favors as well, as he played a forced style and the Bucs were able to pick him off twice as well. There are hopes this game is a minor blip on the radar, as the first quarter brought us a muffed punt return that gave the Bucs killer field position, followed by a fumble recovery for a touchdown that put the Bucs up by over 2 touchdowns before the half even began.
Running Back
Chuba Hubbard: 7 carries, 33 yards | 5 targets, 4 receptions, 27 Yards
Anthony Tyus: 3 carries, 23 yards, 1 TD
Trevor Etienne: 6 carries, 8 yards | 2 receptions, 17 yards
Hubbard clearly took the bulk role at running back, but didn’t get much volume from it, finishing the day with 60 all-purpose yards, 18 of which came on one drive early in the second quarter. The Panthers got behind early, and therefore weren’t able to establish much of a running game on the day. A large rushing play for almost 30 yards was voided on a holding call early in the second quarter, which would’ve almost doubled his rushing total on the day. With no Jonathon Brooks in the running back stable, Etienne and Tyus split the backup carries, with Tyus showing more in his short volume. If anything were to happen to Chuba or the Panthers find themselves out of future games, Tyus may be the player to keep an eye on.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Darren Waller: 2 targets, 1 reception, 50 Yards, 1 TD
Tetaroia McMillan: 6 targets, 4 receptions, 40 yards
Mitchell Evans: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 39 yards
Jalen Coker: 4 targets, 1 reception, 9 yards
John Metchie III: 4 targets, 2 receptions, 20 yards
Tommy Tremble: 2 targets, 1 reception, 8 yards
The Panthers’ offense played a game where they were basically a shell of its output thus far in the season, with only one receiving touchdown coming on the shoulders of a massive catch made by Waller on National Tight End Day, slipping behind defenders on a massive 50-yard air-out play. Otherwise, the likely suspects were milk carton kids, unable to do much given the circumstances. McMillan was able to get 40 yards in the air and proved that when he’s targeted, he’s an alpha wide receiver, but this game gave him little opportunity to do anything. Coker came into the season as one of the buzziest wide receiver talents, but was neutralized, only able to haul in one catch on his 4 targets.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterback
Baker Mayfield: 7/11, 64 yards | 1 carry, 1 yard
Jalon Daniels: 2 carries, -3 yards
Mayfield made his return after three weeks out due to a dislocated thumb, and played in one of the easiest games he’ll likely play for the remainder of his career. The Bucs started the game up 10-0 quickly, due in large part to a ground-and-pound contingency plan, and smothered the Panthers on defense in between. In the game, Mayfield only ended up passing 11 times and was an efficient handoff artist, as the Bucs rushers combined for 48 carries, due in large part to a large early lead in large part to a fast first drive and special teams showing up consistently. Mayfield didn’t do much for fantasy owners, but getting him out of this game right after his injury return without taking a lot of hits bodes well for how he feels going into next week’s game.
Running Back
Bucky Irving: 24 carries, 106 yards, 2 TDs | 1 rec, 4 yards
Kenneth Gainwell: 14 carries, 88 yards
Sean Tucker: 7 carries, 52 yards, 1 TD
The Bucs’ offense ran through Irving as the running back had 11 touches on just the first drive down the field, capping it off with a short rushing touchdown up the middle. Irving is back and, for the majority of the season, has looked like his rookie season self, with blistering burst and no-nonsense runs. Irving seemed to be a sore spot for the Panthers, as they were unable to get their hands on him for most of his runs until he was well past the line, and he even ceded some big rushing spots to Gainwell, as the backs combined for two-thirds of the entire Bucs offense. Gainwell was used entirely as a rusher, which is not usual given his abilities as a pass catcher. Tucker, in large part, has been the battering ram and he’s continuing on that path. Tucker came in for seven carries, averaging 7.4 yards per carry and topping it off with a bruising 46-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to seal the game up.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Tez Johnson: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 33 yards, 1 TD
Chris Godwin: 5 targets, 4 receptions, 27 yards
Cade Otton: 1 target
The offense was streamlined through the run game, and that made the receivers take a back seat to the usual air push the Bucs are capable of. Emeka Egbuka was out for this game, and it was clear that after the early rushing push on the first drive, there was no need to turn over the ball or overextend Baker. Godwin has had a relatively mediocre season after coming into the season healthy and with no Mike Evans to share targets with, but he’s been unable to truly separate, both physically and metaphorically. He was the target leader this week, and that does lead us to think maybe there are a few more solid weeks ahead. Johnson ended up with the receiving touchdown for the day and does look like an intriguing receiver to track if Egbuka is forced to miss more time.