Will Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Carolina Panthers and keep their playoff hopes alive?

The Panthers get the first possession of the game but are unable to do much with it and punt the ball. This has been a normal start for the Panthers since they have struggled most of theis season with their offense especially in the early parts of their games.

Tampa’s first possession stalls and goes 3 and out which is actually uncharacteristic for them this season. Tampa punts the ball and on the return the Panthers give up the ball and the Buc’s recover so they have the ball back and get a turnover early in the football game.

Tampa gets the touchdown so they are first with points on the board with a pass to Nate Byham in the end zone. Although they had a slow start on their first drive, the turnover resulting in a touchdown is the confidence boost they needed.

Again Carolina is unable to get anywhere with their drive and they must punt from their own red zone giving Tampa great field position. The Buccaneers will start their next drive from the 48 yard line. Unable to get in for 6 points ion this drive Tampa takes the field goal and extends their lead. The score is now Tampa 10 to Carolina 0.

On a 3rd and 15 the Buccaneers get a sack and force the Panthers to punt from deep in their own territory which gives Tampa the ball back with great field position from just about mid field.

A great play by the Panther defense and they get an interception and run the ball back for a touchdown. This puts Carolina back within 3 points and the score is now Tampa 10 to Carolina 7.

Just as the 1st quarter ends Tampa has gotten a first down and have the ball on their own 40 yard line with a 3 point lead over the Panthers.

So far in the second quarter the Panthers have had a good bit more momentum. The drive is doing well and they have a 1st down just outside the 10 yard line. On a 3rd down pass in the end zone they draw the pass interference call and get the first down on the 1 yard line. The Panthers push their way in and get the points and take the lead away from Tampa taking the score to 14 to 10.

The momentum that the Panthers picked up early in the quarter continues and they stop the drive of Tampa and force them to punt. Tampa’s defense must get to work and stop the next drive and get their offense back opn the field.

True to form Cam Newton, quarterback for the Panthers runs 10 yards for a first down. Newton is a very mobile quarterback and ona 3rd and 13 when it appears the play is falling apart he manages to come out of the pocket and makes the yards right up the center and makes the first down keeping the drive alive.

A nice pass to Greg Olsen and the Panthers get a first down on the 13. Michael Bennett gets the sack and brings up a 3rd and 9. A penalty on the next play negates a touchdown and brings up 3rd and 19. An incomplete pass and the Panthers must attempt a filed goal but is unsuccessful so the Buccaneers will get the nall back with just over 2 minutes left in the first half.

Just short of the 1st down on a 4th and short Tampa decides not to go for it, but before punting line up like they are in an attempt to draw the Panthers offsides. It doesn’t work and Tampa punts. The Panthers get the ball back with a minute left on the clock and 1 time out left in the half.

As the half ends the score still stands at Carolina 14 to Tampa 10.