Nine weeks is what the Carolina Panthers spent exhibiting unprecedented—for this franchise—offensive rhythm. It’s what they spent dazzling the Carolinas with crazy fakes and daring fourth down attempts. But that show was only on because it was necessary and it was only necessary because they also spent those nine weeks courting a disaster that finally struck yesterday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The team has been so punt-shy this season that I wrote a piece last week about them hating the play. In retrospect, I think I had it wrong. They don’t hate punting, per se, they just hate the number three.