BUCS 20, PANTHERS 7

By Rick Sassone on September 19, 2010

Charlotte, NC (RSE)—On Saturday, I was a guest on the Outdoor Fishing Adventures radio show on ESPN 1040 radio (the Rocket Sports & Entertainment Show was cancelled due to the station’s technical difficulties)…

I predicted a Tampa Bay Buccaneers victory in Carolina.

On the Buc’s second offensive possession Josh Freeman literally took the Bucs offense on his back finishing an 8 play 54 yard scoring drive that was set up by a Michael Spurlock 23 yard punt return. Freeman made a great read spotting broken linebacker coverage by the Cats, then connecting on a 14 yard pass to Ernest Graham who scored untouched.

Matt Moore the Carolina quarterback, did a little good reading of his own hitting Steve Smith, who was manned up, for a 37 yard touchdown. On the fourth and four play, the Bucs brought corner pressure leaving Smith in man coverage. TD Carolina, tying the game at 7… That was it!

Freeman’s good decision making continues along with being a playmaker. Josh hit Kellen Winslow for 40 yards on a 3^rd and 17, as Freeman eluded pressure, rolled to his right and hit Kellen breaking away down field. Freeman, a couple plays later, hit Syracuse rookie Mike Williams on a post for a 35 yard TD.

The Pewter Pirates added two Connor Barth field goals (24,33) in the second half to push the margin to 20-7 Bucs. All along meanwhile the Bucs defense was Kiffin-like just shutting down the Panthers and holding D’Angelo Williams to just 54 yards on 17 carries.

The Bucs took care of the pigskin by not turning it over while Carolina did three times. The Bucs were 42% on 3^rd down efficiency while Cadillac Williams carried the Bucs on the ground. Although Cadillac only managed 51 yards he carried the ball 27 times without coughing it up.

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(PR FilePhoto) Cadillac Williams handled the ball 27 times in Carolina and did not turn it over.

Good quarterback decision making with taking care of the football (no turnovers) and converting almost half of your third down opportunities equates to a divisional road win.

Surprise, surprise just five more wins to my preseason prediction of seven. As the week unfolds we can talk about the Steelers coming in with all kinds of quarterback woes. Charlie Batch? 3 and 0, not far- fetched Rocket Fans. Tune in Saturday to ESPN 1040 Tampa Bay or listen on rocketsports-ent.com