Panthers 38, Bucs 23

This was one of the more pathetic performances by the Bucs defense that Joe can remember in recent history. For much of the game the Bucs displayed terrible tackling that looked more like an unpolished high school team than one of the alleged better defenses in the NFL. All too often Joe saw Bucs defenders hit Carolina ball carriers without even trying to wrap up.

The Bucs offense did a nice job to get back in the game but the Panthers just ran over the Bucs defense.

Now the Bucs are in a pinch. They have to travel to Atlanta on a short week and generally NFL teams that travel after a Monday night game do not fare well. Also, the Falcons are coming off a loss and are one of the hottest teams in the league, well, Joe isn’t all that confident in the Bucs chances.

The Bucs had a chance to grab a hold of a bye week for the playoffs. Now, the playoffs are still very much in doubt.

Just a terrible game by the Bucs defense, no other way to sugarcoat it.