Carolina Panthers fight hard Sunday, but turnovers hurt in loss to Tom Brady, Tampa Bay
If nothing else, Sunday’s 31-17 loss at Tampa Bay proves these 2020 Carolina Panthers have a lot of fight in them. But they also have a lot of work to do.
The Panthers had two turnovers in three plays early in the game and that was a big reason why they were down 21-0 at halftime. But thanks to a Donte Jackson interception -- a play that may have prevented a four-touchdown deficit early in the second half -- Carolina fought back to within 21-14 early in the fourth quarter.
And then the Panthers had the ball and were driving.
But QB Teddy Bridgewater (33-of-42, 367 yards) threw his second interception of the game. The Bucs got a field goal, and pretty much, that was that: Carolina was 0-2 heading into next week’s game at the Los Angeles Chargers.
Worse, star running back Christian McCaffrey (18 carries, 59 yards; 4 catches, 29 yards) left the game after running for a fourth down score in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury.
A few quick takeaways:
1. The Panthers defense was a little better after Las Vegas ran up and down the field last week. Tampa Bay missed on a few opportunities for points, but Carolina was better tackling in the open field and got some pressure on Tom Brady.
2. Facing a defense that could end up being in the upper tier of the league, Carolina was able to move the ball. The turnovers hurt. Bridgewater had two interceptions and a fumble. Receiver Robby Anderson also lost a fumble.
3. The Panthers, for the second straight week, showed, no matter the score or situation, they’ll play hard for first-year coach Matt Rhule.
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Fourth down conversion provides hope
After trailing 21-0 at halftime to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Panthers could’ve fallen behind 28-0 to start the third quarter, but a Donte Jackson interception led the Panthers’ first touchdown.
Then, a fourth-and-2 run by Christian McCaffrey early in the fourth quarter has made this a game.
The Panthers drove to the Tampa 7 and lined up for a fourth-down play. McCaffrey went in motion and Matt Rhule, the first-year Panthers coach, called timeout before the play began.
After the timeout, McCaffrey took a two-hand shovel toss from Bridgewater and ran it in. Carolina trailed 21-14 with more than 13 minutes to play.
The drive was 13 plays, 86 yards and took 6 minutes, 19 seconds. McCaffrey scored his fourth rushing touchdown of the season.
Carolina actually got the ball back and was driving in the fourth quarter into Tampa Bay territory before Bridgewater was sacked on one play and intercepted on another to stop the drive, with the Panthers still down 21-14.
Jackson’s INT creates points
Donte Jackson gave the Panthers some hope Sunday in Tampa Bay.
After a Robby Anderson fumble gave Tampa Bay the ball in Panthers territory on the first possession of the second half, the Bucs appeared ready to take a four touchdown lead and end the game early. But the Panthers defense got pressure on Tom Brady and forced a high throw to Rob Gronkowski.
Donte Jackson made a diving interception at the Panthers 9 and returned the ball to the Tampa Bay 45.
The Panthers drove and eventually scored on a short run from Christian McCaffrey. Carolina trails 21-7 early in the third quarter.
A Rough Start: 3 plays, 2 turnovers
The Carolina Panthers had a chance for an early lead at Tampa Bay on Sunday.
After an impressive series by the defense to start the game — forcing Tom Brady and the Buccaneers to go three-and-out — the Panthers began driving.
But as the Panthers neared the red zone, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater tried to throw a screen pass to Christian McCaffrey. The soft pass was overthrown and intercepted by Jordan Whitehead.
The Bucs eventually drove and scored and led 7-0 in the first quarter.
When the Panthers got the ball back, Bridgewater was hit while trying to escape pressure and fumbled. Jason Pierre-Paul recovered. On the next play, Brady hit Mike Evans to give the Buccaneers a 14-0 lead.
A Failed Fake Punt
Down 14-0 to Tampa Bay Sunday, the Panthers tried a fake punt in Tampa territory in the second quarter. It was fourth and 2 at the Bucs’ 36.
The Panthers had suffered two turnovers -- which turned into two Tampa Bay scores -- and needed some momentum. The Panthers tried a direct snap to Jeremy Chinn while punter Joseph Charlton acted as though the snap went over his head.
Tampa Bay was not fooled.
It was stuffed. Tampa Bay got the ball and quickly converted a flea-flicker and was driving again. Leonard Fournette ended the drive with a short run and a three touchdown lead.
Tom Brady looks like Tom Brady again
For at least a half against the Carolina Panthers, Tom Brady looked anything but washed up.
A week after having his age, and his ability, openly questioned in a dismal loss at New Orleans, the future Hall of Famer looked pretty spry early on Sunday.
With Brett Favre in Tampa to watch the game, Brady put on a first half performance that probably looked really familiar to New England Patriots fans.
In the first two quarters, Brady was 17-of-23 for 198 yards and a touchdown. He finished 23-of-35 for 217 yards and a touchdown. He had two touchdown passes dropped.
After a particularly pretty out route to Justin Watson -- a pass the required strength and touch, and was delivered perfectly -- Fox announcer Mark Schlereth said what a lot of people were probably thinking:
That TB-12 has a lot of football left.
“Can you throw it any better than that?” Schlereth said rhetorically. “People are writing the obituary. I get that Father Time gets everybody, but right now, Tom Brady has Father Time on the canvas and he’s getting near-faulted. This guy has plenty of juice left in that right arm.”
Brady did about everything right in the first half, except seriously under throw a wide open receiver on a flea flicker. The long gain should’ve been a touchdown. That came after Tampa Bay stopped a Panthers’ fake punt attempt, while ahead 14-0.
The Bucs eventually scored anyway and led 21-0 at half.
More Crowd Sound Issues
Most everybody was excited about pro football coming back last week.
Not so many liked the artificial crowd noise the NFL was using.
Was it better in Week 2?
To our ears, the timing had improved but the overall effect still seemed a little off, at least checking out some of the early games. And a few times, like last week, the cheers came at the wrong time -- like when the away team did something good.
With no fans, teams can play artificial crowd noise up to 70 decibels. IAC Acoustics, which manufactures sound-deadening products, says 70 decibels is as loud as a vacuum cleaner or about 20 decibels lower than the average NFL game. The New York Times reported that TV viewers will hear live sounds from the stadium but also crowd noise recorded by NFL Films over the past four years.
This sound is unique to each home field. According to the Times, NFL Films grouped sounds into different volumes and categories, so engineers can cue up boos, cheers and team chants.
But even after a week, it appears the NFL still has some work to do
This story was originally published September 20, 2020 at 4:16 PM with the headline "Carolina Panthers fight hard Sunday, but turnovers hurt in loss to Tom Brady, Tampa Bay."
