The Carolina Panthers pulled out a playoff-clinching win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 17, getting it done in any way necessary.
With one game left in the regular season, the 11-4 Carolina Panthers are still competing for a chance to claim the NFC South crown. They kept those hopes alive with last second heroics by Cam Newton to defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 22-19, in Week 17. This showing gives fans the positive outlook that Carolina can make a run late into the 2018 post season.
The win against the Buccaneers was a situation in which the team had to get the job done in multiple facets. Both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball struggled Newton was held to 160 yards passing sacked twice and threw one interception. The rushing game, often the backbone of this Panthers team, was held to 115 total yards, well below the season average.
The Panthers defense had trouble containing the Bucs offense, even though the unit hasn’t been known as overly powerful this year. The Bucs had nearly 400 yards of offense and completed 6-of-11 third-down conversions. Tampa Bay controlled much of this game and kept the Panthers on their heels, but that wasn’t enough to get the victory in Charlotte.
Carolina’s defense came through with pressuring the quarterback as Jameis Winston lost three fumbles, all of which were recovered by the Panthers. Winston was also sacked six times for a loss of 41 total yards, continuing the trend of the Carolina defense disrupting the opposing quarterback.
This game is an example of how the Panthers can pull out a victory when the situation is its most bleak. Carolina struggled to play from behind much of the year. When the offense is clicking and putting up points, they have been able to hold off their opponents. B
ut finding ways to keep games close and win at the wire offensively hasn’t been a strong point this season. The final drive of 10 plays for 59 yards was a mix of effective play calling and execution to get Carolina into scoring position. All of that was topped off by a lucky bounce, as Newton nearly fumbled on the touchdown run.
The Panthers protected the ball well, which is key at this time of year as every possession becomes vital. What is also worth note is that role players found a way to make their contributions known as Damiere Byrd ran back a kickoff return for a touchdown. He’s continued to impress since the Panthers traded Kelvin Benjamin away to the Buffalo Bills and he’s a name to watch as the post season progresses.
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This win helped Carolina clinch a playoff spot, taking a step in the turnaround needed after the abysmal 2016 season. There’s still an opportunity that they can clinch the NFC South if they defeat the Atlanta Falcons next week and the New Orleans Saints lose. It’s well known that when this team is clicking on both sides of the ball they are a threat to any organization, but the victory against the Bucs showed that they can get a victory in the close and ugly games when it counts.