Panthers defender Brian Burns says loss to Bucs toughest of career
Brian Burns sat at his corner locker inside Raymond James Stadium with his head down, staring at the ground.
Moments removed from Tom Brady and the Buccaneers erasing an 11-point deficit via 20-unanswered fourth-quarter points, Burns called losing to Tampa Bay 30-24 the toughest loss of his four-year career.
“Yeah, yes it is,” Burns said. “We went through a lot this season. At the end of the day, we didn’t get what we wanted, what I think we were capable of, and it was right there in front of us. Very, very, very realistic. It was there. We were all over them. They made more plays than we did. I tip my hat to them.”
Burns is 2-6 in his career versus the Buccaneers. He’s only beaten Brady once in six tries. In those games, Brady and the Buccaneers have outscored the Panthers 183 to 103.
But this season was unfolding differently for Burns and the Panthers. Carolina smothered Brady in Week 7, winning 21-3 less than two weeks after naming Steve Wilks interim head coach. Since then, the Panthers had won four of their past six games. Yet with a chance to take sole possession of the NFC South, Carolina (6-10) allowed Tampa Bay (8-8) to rediscover its long ball.
Brady exploded for 432 passing yards and three touchdowns. All three scores went to Mike Evans, who had the second-best statistical night of his career after catching 10 passes for 207 yards and three touchdowns.
“That’s a gut-wrencher. That sucks. Truly does,” cornerback Josh Norman said. “We lost the game. There is nothing more to say. We had a lot in front of us. A divisional south championship, in front of us... We had an opportunity in front of us and did not capitalize.”
Evans entered Sunday with an 11-game scoreless streak. He had not eclipsed 100 yards since Week 8. But he and Brady were in sync Sunday as Evans became the first receiver in NFL history to start his career with nine consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Some more history: Evans became the first Buccaneers player to score multiple 50-plus yard touchdowns in a game.
The Panthers’ secondary wasn’t ready for Evans. Carolina asked C.J Henderson to cover the four-time Pro Bowler more than usual due to the absence of Jaycee Horn (broken hand). According to Next Gen Stats, Henderson allowed nine receptions on 11 targets for 142 yards and two scores.
Carolina also signed Norman to alleviate losing Horn. But the veteran cornerback played fewer than 10 snaps. After the game, Norman said he was ready to play more but understood the game plan did not call for him.
“I trust in what these guys are building here. That’s the main thing. You have to trust in that, trust in what they have,” Norman said. “I think these guys are doing a phenomenal job preparing every week and I just got here.”
Norman, who signed on Monday, only practiced with the Panthers three times. After the game, Wilks said he did not want to put Norman in a strained situation. The 35-year-old Norman was unlikely to slow Evans any better than Henderson or second-year corner Keith Taylor. Both are a decade younger and have been on an NFL roster six months longer.
Wilks was asked about adjusting to Evans after his first two long touchdown receptions. In response, he repeatedly mentioned execution and technique. Wilks said one of Evans’ scores came versus a one-high look while another hit against Cover-2.
It did not matter what coverage or personnel Wilks or defensive coordinator Al Holcomb deployed. The Panthers were without their two top cornerbacks in Horn and Donte Jackson (ankle), compared to Week 7 when only Horn was out. Jackson played 94% of the defensive snaps in that game while Henderson and Taylor each earned 50%.
Carolina entered training camp with Henderson and Taylor as its No. 3 and 4 cornerbacks, respectively. Norman, who spent most of his career defending No. 1 receivers, said he sympathizes with his fellow defensive backs.
“They put a lot on that position’s shoulders. It’s the hardest position to play in the league besides quarterback,” Norman said. “I think that the guys who were out ... they are big for us.”
Every NFL team is battling the war of attrition by January. Tampa Bay’s offensive line is as injured as the Panthers’ secondary. Which is likely why Burns took accountability for Evans consistently getting open. Burns said the Panthers’ pass rush did not alter Brady enough to limit the Buccaneers’ explosive plays. He felt responsible.
“I felt like there were times (Tom) Brady had all day in the pocket. I put that on me because even if I’m getting chipped, I didn’t get to my rush fast enough to help out,” Burns said. “That is why I’m disappointed in myself and the defense as a whole.”
Carolina did sack Brady three times while hitting him another five times but most of the Panthers’ pressure came in the first half. The Buccaneers exploded in the second half thanks to Brady and Evans.
Despite not winning the division since 2015, Norman believes the Panthers are close to prevailing in NFC South again soon.
“This is a young team with a lot to build upon,” Norman said. “They are tasting it right now. They had an opportunity to taste it. So I’m looking forward to some fireworks from these guys.”
Noteworthy
The NFL Players Association is reportedly filing a grievance against the NFL and Panthers for the hardness of the artificial turf at Bank of America Stadium in the Christmas Eve game against the Detroit Lion. A team spokesperson declined to comment.
This story was originally published January 2, 2023 at 8:57 AM.
