Monday Night Football Preview
Bank of America Stadium | 8:30 p.m. | ESPN
Week 5 of the 2016 comes to a close when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-3) visit the Carolina Panthers (1-3) in a NFC South clash. Both teams have struggled to get off to a good start as they both trail in the standings and they will be looking to gain ground for second place.
| History Between Bucs and Panthers | ||
| 2010 | Buccaneers 20 | Panthers 7 |
| Panthers 16 | Buccaneers 31 | |
| 2011 | Panthers 38 | Buccaneers 19 |
| Buccaneers 16 | Panthers 48 | |
| 2012 | Panthers 10 | Buccaneers 16 |
| Buccaneers 27 (OT) | Panthers 21 | |
| 2013 | Panthers 31 | Buccaneers 13 |
| Buccaneers 6 | Panthers 27 | |
| 2014 | Panthers 20 | Buccaneers 14 |
| Buccaneers 17 | Panthers 19 | |
| 2015 | Panthers 37 | Buccaneers 23 |
| Buccaneers 10 | Panthers 38 | |
[the_ad id=”63198″]Many thought quarterback Jameis Winston would make a big leap in his progression in 2016, but he has struggled thus far through four games. He has eight touchdown passes and eight interceptions. He could be an interesting play on Monday night as the Panthers defense has not played to their billing.
With Doug Martin out and Charles Sims doubtful, Jacquizz Rodgers looks to have a large role in the backfield on Monday night. The Panthers rush defense has not been as advertised as they have allowed on average, 16.6 fantasy points to running backs per game.
Mike Evans is a must start every week because he is a target machine and the Buccaneers don’t have a great defense so there will be a lot of throwing to their top wide receiver. Vincent Jackson has been too inconsistent in 2016, but Adam Humphries has played well in the possession game and could be a flex in PPR formats.
Tight end Cameron Brate is a solid streamer as he is the only one in town after Austin Seferian-Jenkins was released. The Panthers are currently the 29th ranked defense against tight ends so he could be in for a big night.
Quarterback Cam Newton has been ruled out for Monday night’s game due to a concussion. Derek Anderson will take the snaps under center and he could be a solid play for Newton owners as the Buccaneers allowed 19.9 fantasy points to quarterbacks per game in 2016.
With Jonathan Stewart out, running back Cameron Artis-Payne is a solid flex play as he will likely see the majority of the work. The Buccaneers are ranked 23rd against running backs, giving Artis-Payne a nice matchup.
If Kelvin Benjamin owners are worried about Anderson being under center, they shouldn’t be. Anderson is one of those quarterbacks that likes to feed the big targets. When Newton left the game in Week 3, tight end Greg Olsen saw a boatload of targets. Benjamin will be in line for the same.
Speaking of Olsen, he is a must-start every week as he is a favorite target of Newton’s and Anderson understands the notion that throwing to the best players on the team does have its benefits.
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Kevin is from Hilton Head, SC and is very passionate about football and fantasy football. He attended Charleston Southern University where I played baseball for four years. Currently Kevin covers the New York Giants for Sports Media 101 and contributes content to QBmecca.com.
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