A closer look at the fourth-down play that sealed Tampa Bay's win over Carolina

[Sir Purr]

Hargreaves was sort of right. The formation is nearly identical to the Eagles’ iconic “Philly Special” play from their Super Bowl victory over the Patriots. But the Panthers had another idea.


Turner called for McCaffrey to take the snap and fake a handoff to Samuel, who sprinted from left to right into the backfield. Newton threw his hand in the air as a receiving threat, but, like Samuel’s movement, that was just to draw attention.


Hargreaves was right about one thing – something was up. So instead following his man (Samuel) across the formation, he stayed home.


“We counted on (Hargreaves) going with Curtis. It was a well thought out play,” Olsen said. “For some reason the corner didn’t run with Curtis. He was left unblocked.”


And he was waiting for McCaffrey to come right to him.


“I just had to make the play,” Hargreaves said.


McCaffrey used a stiff arm to try to power his way through Hargreaves as they battled toward the sideline. But Hargreaves held his ground and McCaffrey was pushed out of bounds short of the line to gain.


The officials reviewed it and came to the same conclusion. Short.


“I should put my foot in the ground and get that yard no matter what,” McCaffrey said. “Shouldn’t leave it up to the refs.”


Frustrating way to lose? That doesn’t even begin to describe it.


“Every loss sucks,” McCaffrey said. “Sucks a little more when you have an opportunity at the end of the game to win and you don’t do it.


“I’m going to learn from it, grow from it and I promise I’ll come back better.”