The Carolina Panthers should be thanking the Atlanta Falcons, as they took down the Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football to open the door for the Panthers to take control of the NFC South race.
The New Orleans Saints, who also defeated the Buccaneers in Week 14, are now up against the Panthers, and Carolina needs to get going on offense, but rookie WR Tetairoa McMillan has been quiet.
Tetairoa McMillan’s Quiet Start
McMillan has become a massive piece of the Carolina offense and is on his way to being the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. The Carolina offense needs him to come up big as the Panthers look to make the playoffs. He hasn’t done that so far.
McMillan failed to get a target for the most of the first half, and the Panthers have to get him involved. He is their pass catcher by a significant margin, and with little time in the first half, they have to find a way to get him the ball and let him make plays.
On Carolina’s final drive of the first half, McMillan saw the ball come his way. He reeled in a big 21-yard catch to help the Panthers get a field goal to take a 10-7 lead heading into halftime.
4th down? No problem
📺: Fox
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Bryce Young | Tetairoa McMillan | #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/vL7EsTBFwa
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McMillan nearly made a major play on a 3rd-and-11 for a touchdown, but great defense spoiled the potential party. Carolina should look to replicate that formula in the second half to separate from New Orleans.
McMillan is the 34th-ranked wide receiver in PFSN’s WR Impact score with a grade of 77.0. The Carolina passing attack isn’t the most explosive in the NFL with limited weapons on the outside. McMillan is the clear number one option, and no one comes close.
The Panthers haven’t found themselves in a position like this to make the playoffs since Cam Newton was the quarterback. Now, head coach Dave Canales has changed the culture, and the team controls its own destiny. They need this win badly with two of their final three games against the Buccaneers, who they are fighting tooth and nail with for the division.
The Saints aren’t going to go away easily if the last few weeks are any indication. A big second half from McMillan, Bryce Young, and other weapons like Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard can put Carolina in the driver’s seat to host a playoff game.
Editor’s Note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated throughout the day as more information becomes available.
