Chris Tabor heated after Week 16 loss to Packers: ‘I’m disappointed’

Anthony Rizzuti

Sun, Dec 24, 2023, 4:55 PM·12 min read

Carolina Panthers interim head coach Chris Tabor was not in the holiday spirit after his team’s heartbreaking Christmas Eve loss.

Despite making inroads on what seemed to be two insurmountable fourth-quarter deficits, the Panthers fell one play short on Sunday. Their 33-30 defeat to the Green Bay Packers was punctuated by an expiring game clock, one that hit all zeros when quarterback Bryce Young’s spike apparently came just nanoseconds short.

An irritated Tabor, who “absolutely” thought his offense had one second left, was asked if he received an explanation from the officials.

“No,” he simply replied.

He was then asked if the lack of an explanation is what upset him.

“I’m disappointed,” he said sternly. “I’m disappointed for those guys in that room. They laid everything out on the line right there. And we played, we ran out of time. We’re gettin’ better. There’s no doubt about that. I think that’s evident of how we’re playin’.

“I don’t like to lose. Nobody likes to lose. When you’re keepin’ score, you don’t like to lose and we lost. So it hurts at this moment. And it hurts because you care. And you care about the guys you’re in battle with and I love ’em to death.”

Tabor’s Panthers fought off imminent death throughout the fourth quarter. A pair of touchdown connections between Young and wide receiver DJ Chark, which occurred within three minutes of one another, erased a 14-point hole and evened the game up with four minutes remaining.

Then, after a 32-yard field goal from kicker Anders Carlson pushed the Packers to a 33-30 lead with just 19 seconds left, they fought back again. But Young’s two quick 22-yard completions, which got Carolina down to the Green Bay 31-yard line, weren’t quick enough.

Packers v Panthers

CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 13: Jake Delhomme #17 of the Carolina Panthers is pressured by Cullen…

CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 13: Jake Delhomme #17 of the Carolina Panthers is pressured by Cullen Jenkins #77 of the Green Bay Packers September 13, 2004 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

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Packers v Panthers

CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 13: Brad Hoover #45 and his teammate Michael Gaines #45 of the…

CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 13: Brad Hoover #45 and his teammate Michael Gaines #45 of the Carolina Panthers celebrate a touchdown during their game on against the Green Bay Packers September 13, 2004 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

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NFL 2005: Green Bay Packers at Carolina Panthers

October 3, 2005; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers running back #48 Stephen Davis runs as Green…

October 3, 2005; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers running back #48 Stephen Davis runs as Green Bay Packers #77 Cullen Jenkins and #75 Grady Jackson defend in the second half of the Panthers 32-29 victory over the Packers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports Copyright © 2005 Bob Donnan

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NFL 2005: Green Bay Packers at Carolina Panthers

October 3, 2005; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers #26 Deshaun Foster tries to avoid the tackle…

October 3, 2005; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers #26 Deshaun Foster tries to avoid the tackle of Green Bay Packers #21 Earl Little on a 47 yard gain in the first half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports Copyright © 2005 Bob Donnan

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