Will the Carolina Panthers keep their lead against Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half of week 11?

Tampa Bay gets off to a slow start in the 2nd half and punts without doing much of anything on their first possession.

A false start on the 1st down backs the Panthers up. Then on a 1st and 15 the Buc’s get the sack and brings up a 2nd and 15. On a 3rd and 17 the pass is complete but short of the 1st so the Panthers go 3 and out. Carolina tries a fake and the play is broken up and Tampa takes over on downs.

The 3rd quarter has been a trade of possessions. On 1st down Tampa attempts a pass deep in their own territory but the pass is picked off and Carolina gets the ball back. Tampa manages to stop the drive so they will get another shot to get the lead back.

Unable to get the first down again Tampa must punt giving the Panthers the ball back around their own 16 yard line. Once again on a 3rd and 1 Cam Newton keeps the football and gets the 1st. Like I had predicted on this week’s “Offsides” article I suggested that Tampa would need to try and contain Newton. Tampa does make the stop and Carolina punts again.

Back to back first downs for Tampa and they are getting close to mid field. As we reach the end of the 3rd quarter Tampa get’s the first down in Carolina territory with the score still at Carolina 14 to Tampa 10.

Tampa decides to go for it on 4th and short. On the run in to the end zone the ball is fumbled just as he crosses the goal line so it goes up to the replay booth to determine if it was a touchdown before the fumble. Since the ruling on the field was a fumble recovered by a touchback, there was not enough evidence to overturn the play so the Panthers get the ball back.

Capializing on Tampa mistakes the Panthers are quick to get back to mid field. The Panthers get into the end zone again and take the score to 21 Carolina to Tampa 10.

Down by 11 points Tampa must be very careful with both the clock and their play calling. They make it into Panther territory but are forced to go for it on 4th down from the 40 after an incomplete pass on 3rd. They get the 1st on the 30 yard line so they are inching closer to striking distance.

They must convert on this drive since a field goal would still have them down more than a touchdown. They find themselves in a 4th down situation and opt for the kick and it is good. this takes the score to 13 Buccaneers to Panthers 21.

With 4 minutes left in the game the Panthers only need to keep control of the ball and wind the clock down. Tampa needs to concentrate on trying to force a turnover.

On a risky 3rd down play by Carolina, they get the 1st down just before mid field with a pass play. At the two minute warning it is 3rd and 12 with ball on the 42 yard line. even if Tampa has the opportunity to get the ball back they are short on time and have no time outs left.

Tampa will get the ball back with just under a minute left in the game having used all their time outs. They will start the drive from the 20.

With 20 seconds left they get the first down on the 24. On the next play Vincent Jackson catches it in the end zone so Tampa has no choice but to attempt a 2 point conversion to tie the game and force an overtime. They get the conversion so this game goes into overtime.