Carolina Panthers v Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Bank of America Stadium

So L went on a date, so B & I decided to go and see the Panthers play the Bucs (L's a Raiders fan so he wasn't bothered).  .  About an hour before the game I bought some cheap seats off Stub Hub in the lower bowl on the 15 yard line.  It's cold!  but we will endure for our first NFL game in 7 years.

We had great seats and settled in for the 4pm kickoff and watched the Panthers grind away to go down 3-7 at quarter time.  2nd quarter had Bryce Young scrambling for a touchdown right in front of us.  The crowd went wild.  Panthers went into half time with a 13-10 lead, which could have been better had we not missed 2 fields goals.  One of those misses came after a 3rd down that looked like Thielen scored a touchdown, but was ruled out.  Even after seeing the replays, I can't see the fault in the play.  Looks to me like both feet were in when he caught it.  Left the home crowd pretty pissed.  19-10 half time would have been more comfortable.  23-10 would have made all the difference.

B& I, Panthers v Buccaneers, Bank of America Stadium

B & I headed for the concessions with every other person in the stadium.   A new sweater for him, as the poor kid was underprepared for the cold wind in the stadium.  Also a thermos of hot chocolate for both of us.  Not to drink.  Just to hold for the next quarter at least.

3rd quarter was a bit of a slugfest with scores ending even at 16-10 to us.  The Panthers were attacking our end again in the last quarter.  When Thielen did score with 2:35 left, a 23-20 result was a possibility, and the crowd were pumped for it.  Unfortunately 3 1st downs got Tampa in kicking range, and McLaughlin hit a 51 yarded with 30 seconds left, that sent the game into overtime.

You could see when McLaughlin missed a 55 yarder in overtime, the Panthers were revved up.  When Young found Thielen for a 16 yard gain, putting the Panthers close to field goal range, the crowd went nuts.  We were on our feet for the next paly when Hubbard burst trough again, only for the ball to be stripped away and recovered by the Bucs.  When the Panthers gave up 38 yards and the Bucs got to the 10 yard line, the game only needed the following McLaughlin 30 yard field goal for the crowd to leave disappointed.  Another loss for the Cardiac Cats.

While the Panthers have not had a good season, there were some positives to come out of this game, and hopefully the rest of the season will improve and hopes can be held high for next year.  We'll be back

Tampa Buccaneers 26 (M. Evans, B. Irving touchdowns; C. McLaughlin 2/2 extra points, 4/5 field goals) defeated Carolina Panthers 23 (B. Young, A. Thielen touchdowns; A. Pineiro 2/2 extra points, 3/5 field goals).

Paid Attendance: 69,214