Photo by HangingCurve
Tampa Bay @ Carolina
By the numbers:
Carolina -6.5 O/U 49
Tampa Bay Leaders
Passing: Jameis Winston 20-36, 194 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Ronald Jones 13 carries, 75 yards
Receiving: Chris Godwin 3 catches, 53 yards, 1 TD
Carolina Leaders
Passing:Cam Newton 25-38, 239 yards, 1 INT
Rushing: Christian McCaffery 19 carries, 128 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving: Christian McCaffery 10 catches, 81 yards
J’s take:
Bruce Arians was one of the best coaches in the NFL, but we’re not sure he still is. Jameis Winston was awesome in college. In the NFL? Not so much. I’d be weary of any Buc not named Mike Evans. But I’d play Evans. You always play Evans. He’s big, he’s bad, and the Bucs are so awful that he gets to play against a prevent D in the second half of every game! Evans is a garbage time hero who can help you win a title.
Meanwhile, you want to fire up all your Panthers. Cam Newton is annoyed by the media asking him why he didn’t throw long last week. So, you know where he’s throwing. And you know who he’s checking down to when no one is open downfield: the best RB in the game. You gotta like that Panther D too, because these days, Jameis is mostly famous for throwing to the wrong team.
Panthers, 27-17.
Dye’s take:
I was in the firm belief that Arians coming to the Bucs meant that there was a real future for Jameis. I’m not ready to eat my hat on this one yet, but after last week, it’s almost like all the teams in Florida are going to be fighting for that #1 draft pick.
Jameis’s back-up, you ask? Blaine Gabbert. Yeah, doesn’t inspire confidence. But don’t worry, he’s out for this game, so the real back-up is Ryan Griffin. Who? Exactly.
So, unlike J, I can’t even endorse starting Evans, especially after a dismal Week One. You’re going to start him if he’s on your team, but if you do daily fantasy, I’d steer away. I do like Ronald Jones though and what he’s doing for a team that has nothing. And he’s probably on your waiver wire. Worth a bench stash.
But let’s be real, this is the Chrisitan McCaffrey show, and we’re just here with our popcorn to enjoy. I would love it if he got Cam a couple touchdowns of his own, though. It’s time for DJ Moore to breakout!
Panthers, 31-13