By Pat Welter

The Panthers didn’t want any moral victories after a 30-27 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, but hard not to feel some hope after what we’ve seen from Carolina since Bryce Young’s return to the lineup.

Former Panthers QB Baker Mayfield experiencing his own renaissance. He entered the game with 24 touchdown passes, third in the NFL. After both teams traded punts the first several series, Tampa got something going midway through the first quarter. After a pass interference penalty got Tampa down to the one yard line, Mayfield hit Mike Evans for a score. Evans playing his first game back since injuring his hamstring week 7.

Carolina responded with a seven play drive resulting in a 47 yard Eddie Pineiro field goal to cut the lead to 7-3 near the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter Young found his footing with a ten yard touchdown run to tie the game at 10.

Pineiro’s reign as the NFL’s most accurate kicker short lived. He missed his second field goal of the half with just under two minutes remaining in the second quarter, but the Panthers defense got it right back. Chau Smith-Wade intercepted Mayfield along the sideline to set up Carolina at their own 40 yard line with :50 remaining in the half.

Adam Thielen appeared to give Carolina the lead on what would have been an incredible catch in the back of the endzone. It was ruled incomplete on the field and upheld upon review. Pineiro good from 27 yards out to make it 13-10 Panthers at the half.

Baker Mayfield left the game for a couple plays in the third quarter after getting his lower leg stepped on by Jadevon Clowney. Mayfield returned only to immediately throw a pick to Xavier Woods.

Redzone struggles continued for Carolina who settled for another field goal to make it 16-10 Panthers.

With Mayfield a little hobbled, Tampa leaned on rookie running back Bucky Irving on the following drive. Irving finished off the 11 play drive with a 6 yard touchdown run to make it 17-16 Buccaneers.

After a Panthers three and out, Tampa leaned on Irving heavily again, but Carolina’s defense was able to force Tampa to settle for a field goal to make it 20-16 Tampa.

Bryce Young quiet all day long was able to come through in the clutch. Young had time in the pocket, stepped up and delivered a strike to Thielen deep over the middle for a 25 yard score. Big moment for the young QB who continues to grow.  23-20 Carolina with thirty seconds left.

Former Heisman trophy winners dueling in this one! Mayfield answers with a drive to get Tampa into field goal range. Chase McLaughlin hit from 51 yards as time expired to tie the game at 23 and force overtime.

Bucs got the ball to start overtime. The Panthers defense forced a field goal attempt from 55 yards.  This time Mclaughlin was wide left. 

Panthers started at their own 45 yard line, needing just a field goal to win. On third and five Adam Thielen came through with an incredible one handed catch along the sideline as the blitz barrled down on Young. The football Gods give and taketh away. Very next play, already in field goal range, Chuba Hubbard fumbled and it was recovered by Tampa. 

Rachaad White busted off a 38 yard run to get Tampa well within range at the ten. Mayfield took a knee to attempt the field goal on 2nd and goal.  McLaughlin right down the middle for a 30 yard field goal to beat Carolina 26-23.  Heartbreak on the final play two weeks in a row for the Panthers.  They’ve clawed their way to being competitive, learning how to win is an equally difficult climb. 

Source: wralsportsfan.com