Jonathan Stewart isn't afraid of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at all.
Stewart is best known for his 10-season (2008-2017) tenure with the Carolina Panthers, helping lead them to a Super Bowl appearance in 2015 and earning his lone Pro Bowl berth. He's the all-time leading rusher in Panthers history.
After winning their Sunday night game against Detroit, Carolina is now 2-2 and the reigning NFC South champion. When asked who the biggest threat in the division is, the former running back named the Tyler Shough-led New Orleans Saints as the Panthers' biggest threat, while completely dismissing the Jalon Daniels-led Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"I think the Saints are the biggest threat," said Stewart in a one-on-one interview. "Tyler Shough is playing really
well. I liked how he came through last year, his rookie year. He just had a poise about him that was different with the X-factor is a good point. I think that defense, they should be better than what they are. I think the Saints right now are the only team that I would be worried about, especially if they figure out their run game to be a little bit more consistent."
He even mentions the Atlanta Falcons as a potential threat now that Michael Penix Jr. is back in the fold to help out Bijan Robinson. However, he completely shuts down the Buccaneers as a threat.
"The Atlanta Falcons, Bijan Robinson, obviously he's a completely different back when he has a quarterback," said Stewart. "He is who he is, but he's going to be able to operate way more efficient, just like any other running back when they have a good quarterback back there to threaten the secondary. I think the Atlanta Falcons are a threat. I think right now, Tampa Bay with Baker being out, they're going to get ran. They're going to get ran through a little bit. So they might be out of the equation if he's out longer than expected."
The Buccaneers put up a competitive showing in Daniels' first start. But their potential game-winning drive ultimately came up short when they failed a fourth-down conversion on the Green Bay Packers' side of the field. Tampa Bay lost 17-14 and dropped to 0-4 on the season.
They'll go at least two more weeks without Baker Mayfield in the fold and Daniels at quarterback. Stewart made sure to end his thoughts by saying the Panthers are on top of the division.
"And then the Carolina Panthers, man -- I think we're on top," said Stewart.
The former Panthers running back is teaming up with Oral-B and Crest -- as is Buccaneers running back Kenneth Gainwell -- for their special edition products featuring seven NFL teams. That includes the Buccaneers, Panthers and Atlanta Falcons.
"I partnered with Oral-B Crest because I believe in taking care of your teeth and your oral hygiene," said Stewart. "Oral-B and Crest have done some amazing things of late. Official oral care partners of the NFL, and what they've done is they've created some limited-edition products featuring several NFL's most beloved teams such as the Carolina Panthers (and Buccaneers)."
Stewart mentions the mouthwash as his favorite product.
"The mouthwash," said Stewart. "I use that about four times a day, especially when I go to bed at night. If I don't have it, I kind of feel a little weird the leftover food taste in your mouth. I can't go to bed with that feeling at all. But starting your day off with a routine, just like you do anything else, people wake up and they drink their coffee, they go on a jog, or they work out. They send their kids to school. They eat their favorite toast or whatever it is. We all have routines that we have to follow, and I think one of the most important ones is taking care of your teeth because it does lead to good good gut health. I'm passionate about taking care of your hygiene, and so Oral-B and Crest helps me maintain that."
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Ex-Panthers Pro Bowler takes swipe at 0-4 Buccaneers
