Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers game recap: Everything we know
The most emabarrassing season in Carolina Panthers franchise history has finally come to an end.
Here’s everything we know from the Week 18 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
Final score: Buccaneers 9, Panthers 0
Keys to the game
The Panthers offense gave us quite the encore to last week, where they recorded 67 passing yards and zero points. So, for the second straight week, they recorded 67 passing yards and zero points.
Fittingly enough, quarterback Bryce Young was let down by his offensive line and pass catchers one last time in his rookie season. Not only did he get a 43-yard touchdown wiped out by a fumble from DJ Chark, but he was also sacked three times. His 62 sacks on the year nows ties a franchise record.
Carolina’s defense had another stout performance, holding Tampa Bay to just 228 total yards and no touchdowns. But the three field goals from kicker Chase McLaughlin would be all the Bucs needed for their third straight NFC South crown.
It was over when . . .
At the rate the Panthers offense was moving (or not moving), a 9-0 lead already seemed to be enough for the Buccaneers. But they put an exclamation point on it, anyway.
With just over six minutes remaining in the game, left tackle Ikem Ekwonu was smoked off the edge by outside linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka—who came up with a strip sack of Young. Tampa Bay recovered at their own 43-yard line.
Players of the game
DT Derrick Brown: seven tackles (set new single-season tackles record by a DL), 1.0 sack, two quarterback hits
LB Frankie Luvu: six tackles, one quarterback hit
RB Chuba Hubbard: 23 carries, 83 yards
What's next?
Another interesting offseason . . .
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