The Carolina Panthers just got smacked, and I mean *smacked*, in a 43-point shellacking by the Buccaneers that was hands down the most disappointing, worst loss of the entire NFL season. Forget those 3-2 good vibes from six weeks in, where everyone thought Bryce Young had turned a corner and the offense was humming. That second straight division title looked like a lock, right? Nah, this Week 7 disaster was a brutal, ice-cold reality check.
The QB and the O-Line Are in Freefall
It’s hard to sugarcoat this, folks: Bryce Young was truly awful. We’re talking two interceptions and five sacks, one of which turned into a Calijah Kancey scoop and score. Remember those completely overwhelmed, physically outmatched games from his first two years? Yeah, this looked exactly like that. His pocket escapability was nonexistent, and Buccaneers defensive coordinator Todd Bowles just ran wild on him all afternoon.
But Young wasn’t alone in this mess. The offensive line looked completely lost. The Buccaneers racked up 13 pressures and six quick pressures, hitting Young in 2.5 seconds or less. This isn’t just a bad game, it’s a trend. This unit has given up the most pressures and the most quick pressures in the entire NFL. And to make matters worse, right tackle Taylor Moton fractured his fibula, got carted off, and is out indefinitely. How do you recover from that? Plus, the run game was nonexistent: one measly carry over 15 yards, and that was Kenny Pickett in garbage time.
Defense and Special Teams Join the Nightmare
If you thought the offense was bad, the defense might have been even worse. The Buccaneers ran for 258 yards, their fourth most ever, and found the end zone three times on the ground. Three rushing touchdowns! On top of that, special teams had a blocked extra point that got returned for two points and a totally botched punt. Seriously, if there was a way to get embarrassed, the Buccaneers found it and made the Panthers do it.
This wasn’t just a bad week; it’s a massive, flashing red light. Young and the offense have had a middling performance, then this absolute train wreck, since their Week 5 bye. What looked like a sure-fire division crown now feels miles away. Can this team fix these issues, especially with that offensive line injury? Because right now, the early season promise feels like a distant memory, and the road ahead looks incredibly tough.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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