Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers: Bucs' Week 1 Game Preview
For Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans, the anticipation heading into the team's Week 1 matchup against the Carolina Panthers is thicker than the smell of Tampa's best Cuban sandwiches and deviled crabs emanating from Brocato's Sandwich Shop.
That patience will finally be rewarded Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET at Raymond James Stadium.
With training camp over and the dress rehearsal that is preseason action in the books, fans will finally get their first true gander at the new-look Bucs, who have overhauled everything from the coaching staff to the roster and even their uniforms this offseason.
Tampa Bay is hoping to erase the bad taste of an era that hasn't seen the Bucs make the playoffs since 2007 and energize a fanbase that hasn't tasted playoff victory since the team's 2002 Super Bowl title.
First in line are the division-rival Panthers, who swept last year's slate against the Bucs on their way to an NFC South title. Carolina holds the edge in the all-time series 16-11 but lost 16-10 the last time they opened the season in Tampa back in 2012.
Via Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times, Bucs head coach Lovie Smith points out his familiarity with this week's opponent:
"I think I've coached or had on my staff eight guys off (Carolina's) staff. I know quite a bit about (the Panthers). All great guys, great coaches. In the end it comes down to execution. We respect what they do. They're a challenge, and I can't wait to compete against them.
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The success-starved Buccaneer fanbase is hoping that Smith can put his firsthand knowledge of the enemy to good use in the team's season opener.
Here's everything you need to know about this week's game.
Bucs' Preseason Week 4 Recap
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The Bucs gave their fans very little to cheer about in the team's preseason finale, struggling on both sides of the ball in a 24-10 loss to Washington.
Tampa Bay was outgained 443-157 in total offense, managing just 12 first downs and converting only two of their 10 third-down attempts on the night. Averaging just 3.2 yards per play on offense, the Bucs also allowed Washington quarterback Colt McCoy to throw for over 300 yards.
Mike Kafka saw most of the action at quarterback for Tampa Bay, going just 7-of-14 for 86 yards and a touchdown. The three-year veteran from Northwestern was cut last weekend but has since been added to the team's practice squad.
Jeff Demps led all Buccaneers with 59 yards rushing on 20 carries, while Solomon Patton was the team's leading receiver with 34 yards on a pair of catches, including an impressive effort on Tampa Bay's only touchdown. Both Demps and Patton were also cut and later added to the practice squad.
The Bucs' lack of quality depth across the entire roster was exposed, and multiple injuries to key backups only exacerbated the problem, allowing Washington's reserves to have a field day on both sides of the ball for most of the game.
Most fans don't expect much from their team's last preseason game, considering they rarely see any sign of the starters, but this effort was a particularly poor way for the Bucs to end their slate of practice games.
News and Notes
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No Tedford?
In their first regular-season game in a new offensive system, the Bucs could be without the architect of that scheme. Offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford is still recovering from an undisclosed medical procedure, and his availability for this week's game is still in doubt.
But even in the event of Tedford's absence, Bucs quarterback Josh McCown is confident the rest of the offensive staff can pick up the slack and get the job done, per Ira Kaufman of The Tampa Tribune:
"It’s been an adjustment because, obviously, you have one guy who’s leading the offense the whole spring and summer and now you take him out of there. There’s going to be some adjustments, but the coaches have done an outstanding job of picking up where they needed to and coming together and being able to present us with a plan.
Hat’s off to those guys. We certainly miss Jeff and wish him the best. When he’s back, he’s back, and we’ll be excited about that, but for right now the coaches have done a great job of picking up the slack.
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Going without Tedford obviously isn't ideal for the Bucs, but it's clear the team is more concerned with his well-being, as it should be. If he's not able to call plays on Sunday, quarterbacks coach Marcus Arroyo is likely to handle those duties.
Careful with Cam
The Panthers don't have many explosive weapons on offense, and the most important one they have might not be on the field Sunday. Quarterback Cam Newton is nursing a rib injury, and his status for Sunday's game is uncertain.
According to David Newton of ESPN.com, Newton says he's "on pace to be ready to go on Sunday" but made it clear he won't rush himself if it's not in the team's best interest: "I'm not going to put my team in jeopardy or put myself in jeopardy to make matters worse. … I don't want to ever put this team or myself in jeopardy that I'm just stressing to hurry up and get out there and I'm not able to be what makes me, me."
The season is definitely a marathon rather than a sprint, and Newton will have an even bigger target on him if he goes this week. That said, I expect him to give it a go and for the Panthers to try and augment their game plan to protect his ribs as much as possible.
Sweep City
It's been all or nothing in this rivalry in recent years, as one team has swept the season series in each of the past five seasons.
Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com outlines a few interesting facts on the recent history of this back-and-forth matchup:
"Carolina started this unusual run by taking both meetings in 2009, though each game was a relatively close affair. In 2010, the Buccaneers gained a measure of revenge by taking both contests, each by two-touchdown margins. In 2011, Cam Newton's rookie season, the Panthers were in total control, winning a pair of games against the Bucs by a combined score of 86-35. And, yes, sweeps by the Bucs in 2012 and the Panthers in 2013 followed.
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If you're a Bucs fan who believes in such trends, you should be looking forward to a Tampa Bay sweep this season, starting with a victory this week.
Injury Report
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| Player | Position | Injury Status |
| Mike Jenkins | CB | Probable |
| Rashaan Melvin | CB | Out |
| Da'Quan Bowers | DE | Out |
| William Gholston | DE | Out |
| Bradley McDougald | S | Out |
| Mike James | RB | Probable |
| Jorvorskie Lane | FB | Probable |
*All injury statuses courtesy of Buccaneers.com
As was the case for most of the preseason, injuries continue to have a sizable impact on the Bucs' depth, particularly on defense.
The absence of Gholston (shoulder) and Bowers (abdominal) will leave the Bucs thin at defensive end, putting pressure on Steven Means and Scott Solomon to deliver quality snaps in their stead.
Losing McDougald (knee) and Melvin (ankle) won't help Tampa Bay's secondary depth, but the return of Jenkins to the lineup should be a sizable boost.
On offense, it looks like both Lane and James will be ready to go, keeping the Bucs fairly strong in the backfield. Lane's presence will be vital as a lead blocker, but I'd be surprised to see James touch the ball much behind Doug Martin and Bobby Rainey.
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X-Factors and Matchups to Watch
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Bucs offensive line vs. Panthers front seven
It's no secret how poorly the Bucs offensive line played in the preseason, and they have the dubious task of facing one of the league's best defensive lines in Week 1.
The trade for Pro Bowl guard Logan Mankins will lift the overall talent level of the unit, but the Bucs are still working to build chemistry within a unit that has experienced plenty of overhaul this offseason. If Tampa Bay wants to have any success on offense, this unit will have to overachieve this week, giving Josh McCown the time he needs and opening holes for Doug Martin.
Bucs receivers vs. Panthers secondary
This is a matchup the Bucs should look to exploit all game long. With huge playmakers on either side in Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans going up against a weak group of defensive backs, McCown should take every opportunity to get the ball into their hands.
Tampa Bay's ability to take advantage of this matchup will hinge on the offensive line's ability to give McCown ample time in the pocket. If he's able to get the ball out often and on target, it should be a long day for the Panthers secondary.
Injured Cam Newton vs. Bucs defense
Should Newton start on Sunday despite his rib injury, you can bet the Bucs defense will do everything it can to take advantage of his ailment. If Newton's mobility or ability to put full strength into his throws are inhibited, that could be a huge victory for the Bucs on its own.
Furthermore, if the Bucs are able to get pressure on Newton early and often—a possibility made more likely by the absence of retired left tackle Jordan Gross—it could rattle the Panthers' prized playmaker into making some costly mistakes.
Bucs' X-Factor of the Week: G Logan Mankins
It's hard to believe that a new left guard could have such a huge impact on an entire game, but if you're a Bucs fan who watched this team in the preseason, you known just how valuable the addition of Mankins should be.
The Panthers are strongest on defense up the middle, and the presence of a six-time Pro Bowler at guard could be the difference on a key third-down conversion, giving McCown an extra half-second, or getting to the second level to spring Martin for a big run.
Prediction
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This has all the makings of a low-scoring, defensive struggle.
Cam Newton is banged up and doesn't have much in the way of offensive weapons to combat Tampa Bay's stellar defense. On the flip side, Carolina's stout front seven should be able to impose their will on a rebuilt Bucs offensive line that is still working to build chemistry and will be breaking in a brand-new left guard.
This should be a fairly tight game throughout, with turnovers, key penalties and the well-timed big play having an even bigger impact than usual. In the end, don't be surprised if it comes down to a game-winning field goal.
The Bucs are at home and don't have the quarterback who is struggling with an injury, so the edge goes to them in Week 1.
PREDICTION: Bucs 17, Panthers 16
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