Week 18 preview, Panthers vs. Saints: 4 players with something to prove in season finale
For 17 weeks, the Carolina Panthers played meaningful football.
Considering the Panthers were eliminated from playoff contention by early December the past several seasons, there is no question interim coach Steve Wilks has successfully cultivated a competitive team with a promising future.
It’s unclear whether owner David Tepper will make Wilks the franchise’s sixth full-time head coach once the national coaching search starts Monday.
Regardless, the result of the Panthers-Saints matchup in Week 18 carries no playoff implications. Carolina was eliminated from the postseason picture last week when the Buccaneers beat the Panthers, 30-24, and clinched the NFC South.
But Wilks is determined to have the Panthers go out on a winning note. In the locker room, players have expressed a similar sentiment. By beating New Orleans, the Panthers would capture a winning record against the NFC South for the first time since 2015.
In the process, the team can gather information on several young players who could see extended playing time in the season finale. Here are four key Panthers players to watch in Week 18.
DE Amaré Barno
Playing behind Pro Bowl defensive end Brian Burns is helping rookie Amaré Barno quickly learn how to be a professional pass rusher.
“Being around him every day, he reminds me of a young me,” Burns said. “He takes the coaching. He watches me. He studies. And I can see his attentiveness is showing through his reps. He’s starting to look more and more like himself, but me.”
Burns raved about the rookie rusher, praising his team-first mentality and work ethic. Burns, who leads the team in sacks and quarterback hits, is dealing with an ankle injury and will be a game-time decision.
Wilks said if Burns cannot play, Barno would be in line for more playing time. Barno was not active last week against the Buccaneers. He has only played 24 defensive snaps this season, earning a season-high 12 snaps in Week 9.
But finding out more about Barno on the field would help the Panthers’ offseason planning. The team is still searching for an every-down complement opposite Burns.
Barno was drafted to develop into that guy. Playing meaningful snaps in Week 18 would help his growth going into Year 2.
RB Raheem Blackshear
The Panthers have had an eye for Blackshear since the draft. The team tried signing him as an undrafted free agent, but the rookie rusher was reluctant to join a team with Christian McCaffrey.
The Bills cut Blackshear in early September, and Carolina did not let him escape waivers. McCaffrey was traded a month later, and a role emerged for Blackshear.
Since Week 7, he’s earned at least two carries in six of the Panthers’ 10 games. He had a season-high 32 rushing yards in wins against Atlanta and at Seattle. He scored the first touchdown against the Seahawks.
His presence in the run game forces defenses to respect the perimeter. Blackshear adds a challenging wrinkle in zone-read and speed-option situations.
The former Virginia Tech running back is also a dynamic kick returner.
Starting running back D’Onta Foreman is questionable with a knee injury. If Foreman cannot play, Chuba Hubbard would likely start, but Blackshear would also see an increased workload behind Hubbard.
S Sam Franklin
Carolina is still searching for a reliable nickel defender.
Without Jaycee Horn or Donte Jackson available, the Panthers have been forced to play CJ Henderson and Keith Taylor exclusively on the outside. When healthy, Carolina could deploy Horn or Jackson in the slot when situations called for it.
Last week against Tampa Bay, safety Jeremy Chinn played a handful of nickel snaps. Though he is a talented player, Chinn is better near the line of scrimmage. Chinn allowed Chris Godwin to catch all four of his targets, two of which went for first downs.
The Panthers will target a nickel defender this offseason, but special teams ace Sam Franklin has earned an opportunity to showcase whether he can fill that void.
Franklin played 13 defensive snaps last week. He made one tackle and forced a fumble.
CB Keith Taylor
It’s been a challenging second half of the season for Taylor.
He earned more playing time after Jackson tore his Achilles in Week 10. In Week 15 against Pittsburgh, Henderson did not play in the second half due to an injury. Taylor allowed five catches for 105 yards filling in for Henderson.
Taylor was again thrust into a starting role after Horn broke his hand. Last week, Taylor allowed four catches for 95 yards and a touchdown.
The Saints feature talented rookie Chris Olave. Taylor has one more opportunity to prove the Panthers should remain invested in him.
This story was originally published January 7, 2023 at 11:59 AM.
