CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Fresh off a win against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, the Panthers (3-2) are looking forward to continuing their current three-game winning streak after opening up the 2019 season 0-2.
This go-round however, the Panthers will be in unfamiliar territory as they will travel to London for their first-ever overseas game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-3). The game will take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at 9:30 a.m. ET.
The last time the teams met was in week two for a Thursday night game at Bank of America Stadium in which the Buccaneers came out victorious in a 20-14 nail-biter. The game was the last time we saw Quarterback Cam Newton in action due to injury.
Kyle Allen took over the very next game against the Cardinals and since has strung together 3 straight wins for the squad.
Since Ron Rivera was named head coach in 2011, the Panthers have played the Buccaneers 17 times and have posted an 11-6 record.
WFMY NEWS 2'S LUKE LYDDON'S PREDICTION:
Considering Christian McCaffrey is deemed healthy entering this week 6 matchup (he rested Wednesday due to a sore back), the Panthers always have a solid chance of winning. Don't believe me? How about this stat for some context:
Christian McCaffrey is on pace for 2771 yards from scrimmage. The NFL record is 2509, set by Chris Johnson 10 years ago. If that type of production alone won't help a team win, I am not sure what will.
Although it is important to mention, during the team's first showdown with the Bucs earlier this season, McCaffrey was limited to 37 rush yards on 16 carries, by far his lowest output of the year. The Buccaneers have been very stingy against the run through the first five games, allowing a league-best 3.12 yards per attempt.
So the running game wasn't working week 2 and neither was the passing game, as we later found out Cam Newton was indeed not healthy, dealing with a mild lisfranc injury.
Now backup Kyle Allen comes into play, who has yet to lose as a starter and has a 107.4 passer rating since taking over in Week Three. That is good for a top 10 mark in that span, along with 674 yards and five touchdowns,
If Allen can take care of the football and not fumble (He has coughed up the ball on 6 different occasions), along with an efficient day from CMC, PLUS that stout Panther defense, this team will win.
I predict a high-scoring affair, but Panthers come out on top and improve to 4-2 on the season, winning 30-24. What do you think?
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