CHARLOTTE, N.C. – It had a feeling of desperation for the Carolina Panthers.
Kick the extra point for the tie with 1:07 left in regulation and put the game in the hands of the defense to force overtime against the struggling Detroit Lions. Show confidence in kicker Graham Gano even though he’d already missed an extra point and 34-yard field goal.
Ron Rivera chose to go for two.
He put the game in the hands of star quarterback Cam Newton in an attempt to steal a much-needed road victory and put the hangover of last week’s 52-21 primetime loss at Pittsburgh in what the coach called the “s--- happens" category.