Carolina Panthers: 3 Standouts vs. Buccaneers in Week 2
1. LB Luke Kuechly
Following the Carolina Panthers’ disappointing 20-14 Thursday night home loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, prolific linebacker Luke Kuechly put things into proper perspective after the team dropped to 0-2.
“The sky is not falling,” stated the eight-year performer to ESPN’s David Newton.
It’s hard to argue with that outlook. After all, both the Houston Texans (0-3) and Seattle Seahawks (0-2) reached the postseason a year ago after similar starts. In fact, the Panthers were 0-2 and eventually 1-3 in 2013 and still won the NFC South with a 12-4 record that season.
The six-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro did his best in the prime time setback. And things may have been a lot worse if Kuechly wasn’t around to offset a shaky performance by Carolina’s defensive front in terms of run defense.
The standout defender amassed 17 total stops (eight solo), knocked down a pass and tackles Buccaneers’ running back Peyton Barber in the end zone in the fourth quarter for a safety. Of course, Ron Rivera’s offense failed to score a touchdown in the game and Tampa wound up winning the time of possession battle, holding the football for 33:53.
Next. 20 Bold predictions for NFL Week 2. dark
In each of his first seven NFL seasons, Kuechly has totaled at least 100 tackles. He’s already racked up 25 tops in two games this year. But all of that production on Thursday night did not add up to a win.