Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Key Matchups vs Panthers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will take on the Carolina Panthers Sunday at Raymond James Stadium. Here are photos of the players that could go a long way towards determining the game's final outcome.
Martin is back in action after missing 10 games last season. He looks to bounce back to his rookie-season form when he gained 1,926 all-purpose yards and 12 TDs. He faces a strong first test against a Carolina front that allowed just 86.9 rushing yards per game last year, second fewest in the league.
Carolina is confident that Newton will take the field in Week 1 after he suffered a cracked rib in a preseason matchup against the Patriots. He will deal with a the Buccaneers pass rush featuring free agent signees Michael Johnson and Clinton McDonald, who join Gerald McCoy and Adrian Clayborn up front.
If the preseason handed out an MVP award, McCoy would be in the discussion for his notable play through constant double teams, which led to six tackles, one sack and a forced fumble. He anchors the middle against Carolina's three-headed running back (plus Newton) which rushed for 126.6 yards per game last year.
New Buccaneers QB McCown makes his first start against the defense that led the league in sacks last year. Hardy (15.0 sacks) and Johnson (11.0) will test a Buccaneers line featuring four new faces. McCown will have to find rhythm with his receivers early to avoid the inevitable pressure from the outside.
They don't face each other head-to-head, but when two of the NFL's best linebackers take to the same field the battle is always worth noting. Both young LBs finished in the top five in tackles last year and will fight to make an early statement for their respective defenses in the season opener.
The two rookie first-round draft picks will take the field for their NFL debut today. Evans will have some of the defense's attention off him thanks to #1 WR Vincent Jackson (1,224 yards, 7 TDs in 2013), which could make Evans a top target. Benjamin comes in at the top of the Panthers WR depth chart, a tough test as he may line up across from 2013 Pro Bowl cornerback Alterraun Verner.
