After Cleveland embarrassed the Bucs last week, Joe is very intrigued to see how the bumbling Browns perform in their home opener today at 1 p.m. against the Carolina Panthers (1-1).
You know the Panthers; they’re the Bucs’ rival that made the playoffs last year after starting the season 1-3.
If the Browns win, then maybe there’s extra hope for the Bucs in their 4:05 p.m. start against the Vikings. If the Panthers punish the Browns, then Joe might cry a little more inside for the state of Tampa Bay.
To the surprise of most fans, the Panthers are averaging 35 1/2 points per game without having a special running game. Joe watched Carolina hammer the Falcons last week 34-3. They’re steaming with confidence and should be.
Again, if the Browns knock off the Panthers, maybe things aren’t as dark for the Bucs as they appear.