Bucs CB Ronde Barber vs. Panthers WR Steve Smith
The Bucs have to like this matchup. Barber has had a rather difficult season but he's coming off two very good games and seems to be stepping up his play at just the right time. Smith is a speedy wideout who can beat press coverages and fly past defenders even out of his breaks, but Barber will look to keep Smith in front of him and make his play on the ball in the air. With help over the top from his safeties and underneath from the linebackers, Barber will have a chance to make some plays against Smith that could turn the game in the Bucs' favor.
Bucs RB Warrick Dunn vs. Panthers MLB Jon Beason
Beason is a very athletic linebacker, but he doesn't do a good job of reading the quarterback or recognizing passing routes. He reacts well but if the Bucs attack him by throwing to Dunn off a play-action fake he can be victimized. Dunn will see a lot of Beason in the run game, too, and that's an interesting matchup. Neither player is real big. Both are very quick and agile, but Dunn's ability to make himself small as he cuts through the line and elude tacklers should give him an edge.
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The Bucs Will Win If... The Panthers Will Win If...
The Bucs Will Win If...
They can get to Jake Delhomme. The Bucs have done a good job of rushing the passer the past few weeks and they need to get to Delhomme. He'll hurry his throws and force a few into coverage when he's under duress, so the Bucs have to make the pocket an uncomfortable place for him. It's mostly up to the defensive line to do that, but a lot of this falls on the secondary as well. They have to do a good job in coverage, because that will force Delhomme into checkdowns that will reduce the time he needs to get rid of the ball cleanly.
The Panthers Will Win If...
They ever take a touchdown or better lead. The Bucs have done a great job of pulling themselves out of sizeable holes this year but it's a different kind of opponent they're facing in this one. The Panthers have a running game that's strong enough to maintain control of the ball for long periods and score points. If Carolina gets into a position where they can run the ball to take time off the clock they'll force the Bucs into a shootout approach that they don't want to get into and don't necessarily excel at.
The Bucs have to like this matchup. Barber has had a rather difficult season but he's coming off two very good games and seems to be stepping up his play at just the right time. Smith is a speedy wideout who can beat press coverages and fly past defenders even out of his breaks, but Barber will look to keep Smith in front of him and make his play on the ball in the air. With help over the top from his safeties and underneath from the linebackers, Barber will have a chance to make some plays against Smith that could turn the game in the Bucs' favor.
Bucs RB Warrick Dunn vs. Panthers MLB Jon Beason
Beason is a very athletic linebacker, but he doesn't do a good job of reading the quarterback or recognizing passing routes. He reacts well but if the Bucs attack him by throwing to Dunn off a play-action fake he can be victimized. Dunn will see a lot of Beason in the run game, too, and that's an interesting matchup. Neither player is real big. Both are very quick and agile, but Dunn's ability to make himself small as he cuts through the line and elude tacklers should give him an edge.
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The Bucs Will Win If... The Panthers Will Win If...
The Bucs Will Win If...
They can get to Jake Delhomme. The Bucs have done a good job of rushing the passer the past few weeks and they need to get to Delhomme. He'll hurry his throws and force a few into coverage when he's under duress, so the Bucs have to make the pocket an uncomfortable place for him. It's mostly up to the defensive line to do that, but a lot of this falls on the secondary as well. They have to do a good job in coverage, because that will force Delhomme into checkdowns that will reduce the time he needs to get rid of the ball cleanly.
The Panthers Will Win If...
They ever take a touchdown or better lead. The Bucs have done a great job of pulling themselves out of sizeable holes this year but it's a different kind of opponent they're facing in this one. The Panthers have a running game that's strong enough to maintain control of the ball for long periods and score points. If Carolina gets into a position where they can run the ball to take time off the clock they'll force the Bucs into a shootout approach that they don't want to get into and don't necessarily excel at.
