CHARLOTTE, N.C. — If any one play-call was the sign of the depths of desperation to which this Bucs' season has sunk, it was Tampa Bay's botched fake punt in the second quarter Sunday.
Already trailing by three touchdowns, coach Dirk Koetter dove deep into his play card and pulled out one of the riskiest plays possible in an attempt to give his floundering team momentum.
This wasn't the typical spot for a fake punt — fourth and 9 at the Bucs 26 and trailing 28-7 with 6:33 left in the first half — but the Panthers were rolling, having scored touchdowns on three straight possessions They would go on to score on five straight possessions.