RealGM

5-4 Tampa at 2-7 Carolina.

IMO, this game is where we get a good feel for the future of our Head Coach Ron Rivera. Team needs to rally behind him and play like they are capable of playing and get this win. It is at home, and you know Jerry Richardson will be in his Sky Box watching. Needs to see that the team has not quit on Rivera and can still be excited by the young talent on this team. Will be interesting to see what happens.

Panthers get a first down, then have to punt. Bucs have to punt. Munnerlyn has a good return started, but fumbles. Bucs take over at Panther 29 and get a TD. Early in the 1st, Bucs lead 7 - 0.

Bucs up late in 1st 10 - 0 and in Panther territory. Munnerlyn attones for earlier mistake and gets a 74 yeard pick six. End of 1st, Bucs lead 10 - 7.

Panthers playing much better. Take a 14 - 10 lead on a Stewart TD. Had a chance to go up 17 - 10, but Medlock missed a 40 yrd FG. Cannot miss out on points like that !!

Not sure WHAT the Panthers were thinking. 4th down at our own 37 and we faked a punt? They stopped us. Fortunately, Freeman throws a bad INT on 1st and Panthers have the ball back. But Rivera made a horrible call to fake that punt.

10 minutes to go. Bucs have it at the Panther 1 and 1/2 yard line and it is 4th and 1 foot. Rush and the Buc player fumbles at the goal line. Ruled a touchback, but very close. Under review. Could be he crossed the line before the fumble.

Ruling is..... Upheld. Panther ball at the 20. Whew!

Cam to LaFell makes it 21 - 10 Panthers. Bucs get a FG. With 4:03 left, Panthers lead 21 - 13.

Unreal. Gave up a TD and 2 pt conversion with 12 seconds. Going to OT. This will rank up there with blowing the Falcon game if they lose this game. Sickening.

Panthers lose 27 - 21 with a Buc walkoff TD. Gave another one away. Wow.

This was utterly painful. It's a testament to a season that's been spent as a talented team but as last in the admittedly strong NFC because of mental mistakes and inability to hang onto leads.