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Losing close ‘getting super old’ for defense
Carolina’s only touchdown drive of the afternoon was all of 4 yards, following quarterback Josh McCown’s fumble, but Tampa Bay’s defense yielded 28 first downs and 390 yards as the Panthers maintained possession for more than 37 minutes.
“Losing close is getting super old,’’ cornerback Johnthan Banks said. “And we all should be getting tired of it. Every week we work so hard, and then we let ourselves down most of the time. Hats off to the teams that are beating us, but most of the time, it’s us. Plays we’re supposed to make, we’re not making.’’
Second-year pro Bradley McDougald led all players with 15 tackles and fellow safety Dashon Goldson said Carolina’s offense did just enough. Derek Anderson threw for 277 yards in beating the Bucs for the second time this season as veteran tight end Greg Olsen and rookie wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin each topped the 100-yard mark while combining for 18 of Anderson’s 25 completions.
“We’re kind of shooting ourselves with penalties and dropped picks,’’ Goldson said. “We started off pretty good, but once again, finishing is our problem. I thought our defense played well for the most part, but they got us on a couple of third downs. Olsen’s a pretty good player, for sure, and Anderson spreads the ball around.’’
Costly penalty wipes out Bucs’ game-changing interception
With the Bucs trailing 16-10 early in the fourth quarter, Panthers quarterback Derek Anderson’s pass intended for tight end Greg Olsen was intercepted by linebacker Orie Lemon at the Panthers’ 43-yard line and returned 12 yards. But officials flagged Bucs defensive end Larry English for roughing the passer, and Graham Gano eventually kicked the last of his four field goals to make it a two-score game.
On replay, it appeared English only grazed Anderson’s helmet with his right hand. “I guess I have to go back and see it on tape, but yes, I was surprised,’’ English said. “I was playing hard, trying to affect his throw. When the flag came out, I was shocked. It turned out to be a big play.’’
Anderson said it was the proper call. “Right when I was letting it go, the dude grabbed my face mask,’’ said Anderson, who subbed for an injured Cam Newton against the Bucs for the second time this season.
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