Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Buccaneers at Panthers: Five Game-Changing Players

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Buccaneers (1-3) have lost three straight, but will look to get back on track this coming Monday night when they hit the road to take on the Carolina Panthers (1-3). Here, we break down five players that have the ability to change the outcome of the game.

A season-opening win gave the Buccaneers some momentum heading into a tough stretch, but they have squandered it in the last three weeks. Stringing together two blowout losses and a heartbreaker has the Bucs reeling. They’ve done a lot wrong in the last three weeks, but they will try to right the ship this week in primetime action.

The Panthers are also off to a disappointing start, losing three of their first four. They’ve lost two straight, but they return home this week after losing in Atlanta this past Sunday. Cam Newton‘s status is up in the air, as he will have to pass through the league’s concussion protocol to be cleared for this week’s matchup.

Tampa Bay hasn’t beaten Carolina since week 11 of the 2012 season. That makes for six straight losses to the Panthers, who have dominated the NFC South for the last few years.

Both teams are struggling as of late, but there is plenty of talent on both sides of the field. Who has the ability to affect the outcome of Sunday’s game?

Dec 14, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) catches a touchdown as Carolina Panthers free safety Tre Boston (33) and cornerback Josh Norman (24) defend in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Evans

One of the only consistent bright spots on the Tampa Bay offense this year has been Mike Evans. He is a true No. 1 receiver that doesn’t have a whole lot of support around him. He’s bound to get the majority of the targets from Jameis Winston week in and week out, which makes him very capable of changing the outcome of a game.

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The Panthers’ secondary has struggled without star cornerback Josh Norman, who signed with Washington in the offseason. Last week, Atlanta’s Matt Ryan was able to put up 503 passing yards and four touchdowns against Carolina, which led to a 48-33 victory for the Falcons.

Winston has struggled at times this year, but this week could be a big one in terms of getting back on track. If he is to do that, Evans has to be the one to get him there. Through four games, he has 26 catches for 360 yards and three touchdowns. He is a constant threat for the Bucs, and with their offense struggling, he can be the one to change the momentum this Sunday. He should have a favorable matchup against a struggling Panthers secondary, which leaves him primed to break out once again.

Jan 3, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) gets tackled by Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) and strong safety Roman Harper (41) during the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Luke Kuechly

The leader of what is usually a stout Carolina defense has the ability to change any game he plays in. Luke Kuechly is one of the top linebackers in the league, ranking high on the list next to Tampa Bay’s Lavonte David. In all four games this season, Kuechly has picked up double-digit tackles. He has 46 tackles (34 solo), a sack, an interception and three passes defended.

The Bucs have struggled to run the ball in Doug Martin’s absence, which leaves Kuechly as a likely candidate to take over the game on Sunday. Charles Sims and Jacquizz Rodgers haven’t been able to get much going on the ground, making the Tampa Bay offense one-dimensional. The Panthers are struggling so far this year, but this week could start a turnaround for them. That will especially be the case if their defense keeps the Bucs’ offense at bay, and they will be able to do that if Kuechly plays up to his normal standard.

With the way Tampa Bay played last Sunday against Denver, Carolina will be looking to break out this week and turn its season around. Of course, the Panthers’ defense still has plenty of talent, so the Bucs might be the team that serves as its stepping-stone to a strong rest of the season.

Dec 13, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Charles Sims (34) runs during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. The New Orleans Saints won 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Charles Sims

The Bucs have been unable to get their run game going in the absence of Doug Martin. Charles Sims has been getting the majority of the carries in the last three weeks, but his production has been erratic. He has averaged just 2.8 yards per carry, which certainly isn’t enough. He has been effective in the passing game, catching 14 passes for 112 yards and a touchdown. Whether or not he can get going on Monday night will definitely impact Tampa Bay’s chances of emerging with a win.

The Panthers’ run defense is 10th in the league right now, and it will need a strong performance this week. If Sims can’t get going, the Buccaneer offense will struggle again. Carolina has given up an average of 90.3 rushing yards per game this season, and it will take a season-high effort for Sims this week to even get to that level.

Sims certainly has the ability to change the game in a positive way on Monday night, but he has been negatively impacting games in the last few weeks. In weeks two and three, Sims let a pass go off of his hands and into the hands of a defender. When it happened in week three, it let the Rams back into the game before halftime. Just a week ago, his fumble in the second quarter killed the team’s momentum again. Tampa Bay trailed 14-7 at the time, but had the ball in Denver territory before the fumble. As a result, the Bucs went cold from there and fell 27-7. So while Sims has a chance to change the game in a positive way against Carolina, his recent play says he could impact the game negatively.

Dec 14, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (13) runs and breaks the tackle of Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte Davis (54) during the first half of the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

Kelvin Benjamin

One of the top receivers in the 2014 draft, along with Mike Evans, was Kelvin Benjamin. The former Florida State Seminole had a big rookie year before sitting out 2015 with an ACL injury. He has bounced back strong through four games this year, catching 16 passes for 238 yards and four touchdowns.

The Bucs’ secondary was supposed to be much improved this year, but through four games, it hasn’t been good enough. Benjamin is a candidate to have a big game this week, as he will likely be matched up with Brent Grimes. Grimes typically struggles with taller receivers, and he hasn’t been performing up to his usual standard this year.

The Carolina quarterback situation is still unclear for this week, as Cam Newton is going through concussion protocol. If he is unable to suit up, veteran Derek Anderson will get the start. Anderson, of course, beat Tampa Bay twice in 2014. In relief of Newton last week, he went 17-for-23 for 172 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. No matter who is taking the snaps under center on Monday night, Benjamin will be the primary target. He will have a lot of opportunities to change the outcome of the game.

Aug 26, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Vernon Hargreaves (28) defends against the Cleveland Browns during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Vernon Hargreaves

The 2016 No. 11 overall pick has been solid for the Bucs so far this year, but hasn’t made a splash play yet. He is very capable of shifting a game’s momentum by forcing a turnover, and there would be no better time for his first than this week. The Tampa Bay defense is in need of a spark, which could come in the form of Hargreaves.

Through four games, VHIII has totaled 19 tackles and a pass deflection. Especially if Carolina is without Cam Newton this week, the Tampa Bay defense needs to step up. The secondary, specifically, has a lot of room to improve. Safety Chris Conte has been a huge disappointment this year, Brent Grimes hasn’t lived up to the hype and both Alterraun Verner and Johnthan Banks have been virtually invisible. This time is as good as any for Hargreaves to break out and show the rest of the league why he was drafted so high.

Hargreaves had 10 interceptions in three seasons as a Florida Gator. He is a big-time competitor and plays the pass well, which is why he has such a big upside. Critics have knocked his size, but with his talent, it doesn’t matter. This week could be a big one for Hargreaves, who could change the game’s outcome with a big play or two.

So, who do you think will change the outcome of Sunday’s game, Bucs fans? You can let us know in the comments, on Twitter @ThePewterPlank or on Facebook.

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